System and method for providing hands free operation of at least one vehicle door

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing hands free operation of at least one vehicle door that include determining if a portable device is located within at least one local area polling zone of a vehicle. The system and method also include determining if the portable device is stationary for a predetermined period of time within the at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle. The system and method further include supplying an amount of power to a motor associated with the at least one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle door if it is determined that the portable device is stationary for the predetermined period of time.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority toU.S. application Ser. No. 15/730792 filed on Oct. 12, 2017, the entireapplication of which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S.application Ser. No. 15/730792 claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/485,360 filed on Apr. 13, 2017, which is alsoincorporated herein by reference; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/730792also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/426,954filed on Nov. 28, 2016, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many vehicles today include systems that may allow powered opening andclosing of vehicle doors that include a tailgate door. Many of thesesystems require an individual to perform some type of action to instructthe systems that the vehicle door should be opened or closed. Forexample, some systems require individuals to input specific buttons on akey fob in a specific manner in order to instruct the systems to actuatepowered opening or closing of the vehicle door. Additionally somesystems require individuals to perform some type of gesture(s) (e.g.,kicking foot under a vehicle tailgate) in order to instruct the systemsto actuate powered opening or closing of the vehicle door. Such actionsmay often be inconvenient to perform for the individual, especially insituations when the individual is carrying objects and/or are physicallyunable to perform such actions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for providinghands free operation of at least one vehicle door is provided thatincludes determining if a portable device is located within at least onelocal area polling zone of a vehicle. The at least one local areapolling zone includes a predetermined area around the vehicle whichreceives at least one high power polling signal. The method alsoincludes determining if the portable device is stationary for apredetermined period of time within the at least one local area pollingzone of the vehicle. Determining if the portable device is stationaryfor the predetermined period of time includes computing at least onetime of flight difference value between a time of flight measurementvalue of at least one polling response signal received from the portabledevice and at least one subsequent polling response signal received fromthe portable device, wherein the at least one time of flight differencevalue is compared to at least one time of flight deviation thresholdvalue that is associated with at least one transceiver of the vehiclethat is in proximity to the at least one local area polling zone of thevehicle in which the portable device is located. The method furtherincludes supplying an amount of power to a motor associated with the atleast one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle door ifit is determined that the portable device is stationary for thepredetermined period of time.

According to another aspect, a system for providing hands free operationof at least one vehicle door is provided. The system includes a memorystoring instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to determine if a portable device is located within at leastone local area polling zone of a vehicle. The at least one local areapolling zone includes a predetermined area around the vehicle whichreceives at least one high power polling signal. The instructions alsocause the processor to determine if the portable device is stationaryfor a predetermined period of time within the at least one local areapolling zone of the vehicle. Determining if the portable device isstationary for the predetermined period of time includes computing atleast one time of flight difference value between a time of flightmeasurement value of at least one polling response signal received fromthe portable device and at least one subsequent polling response signalreceived from the portable device, wherein the at least one time offlight difference value is compared to at least one time of flightdeviation threshold value that is associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that is in proximity to the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle in which the portable device islocated. The instructions further cause the processor to supply anamount of power to a motor associated with the at least one vehicle doorto open or close the at least one vehicle door if it is determined thatthe portable device is stationary for the predetermined period of time.

According to still another aspect, a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium stores instructions that, when executed by a computer,which includes at least a processor, causes the computer to perform amethod that includes determining if a portable device is located withinat least one local area polling zone of a vehicle. The at least onelocal area polling zone includes a predetermined area around the vehiclewhich receives at least one high power polling signal. The instructionsalso include determining if the portable device is stationary for apredetermined period of time within the at least one local area pollingzone of the vehicle. Determining if the portable device is stationaryfor the predetermined period of time includes computing at least onetime of flight difference value between a time of flight measurementvalue of at least one polling response signal received from the portabledevice and at least one subsequent polling response signal received fromthe portable device, wherein the at least one time of flight differencevalue is compared to at least one time of flight deviation thresholdvalue that is associated with at least one transceiver of the vehiclethat is in proximity to the at least one local area polling zone of thevehicle in which the portable device is located. The instructionsfurther include supplying an amount of power to a motor associated withat least one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle doorif it is determined that the portable device is stationary for thepredetermined period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an operating environment of asmart entry hands free system for providing hands free operation of avehicle door according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary operatingenvironment of a hand free door operation application-specificintegrated circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 an illustrative example of a tailgate window of a tailgate doorof a vehicle that includes a notification relating to a portabledevice(s) remaining stationary according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method for providing hands freeoperation of at least one vehicle door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a process flow diagram of a first part of a method forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle dooraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a process flow diagram of a second part of the method forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle dooraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a process flow diagram of a third part of the method forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle dooraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of a method for providing hands freepowered closing of the at least one vehicle door with LF pollingaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a process flow diagram of a method for providing hands freepowered closing of the at least one vehicle door with motion sensing,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7B is an illustration of a motion sensor utilizing a predetermineddetection range of the tailgate door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein.The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components thatfall within the scope of a term and that can be used for implementation.The examples are not intended to be limiting.

A “bus,” as used herein, refers to an interconnected architecture thatis operably connected to transfer data between computer componentswithin a singular or multiple systems. The bus can be a memory bus, amemory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus, a crossbar switch,and/or a local bus, among others. The bus can also be a vehicle bus thatinterconnects components inside a vehicle using protocols such asController Area network (CAN), Media Oriented System Transport (MOST),Local Interconnect Network (LIN), among others.

“Computer communication”, as used herein, refers to a communicationbetween two or more computing devices (e.g., computer, personal digitalassistant, cellular telephone, network device) and can be, for example,a network transfer, a file transfer, an applet transfer, an email, ahypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) transfer, and so on. A computercommunication can occur across, for example, a wireless system (e.g.,IEEE 802.11), a Bluetooth® communication system, a radio frequencycommunication system (e.g., LF radio frequency), an Ethernet system(e.g., IEEE 802.3), a token ring system (e.g., IEEE 802.5), a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a point-to-point system, acircuit switching system, a packet switching system, among others.

An “input device” as used herein can include devices for controllingdifferent vehicle features which include various vehicle components,systems, and subsystems. The term “input device” includes, but it notlimited to: push buttons, rotary knobs, and the like. The term “inputdevice” additionally includes graphical input controls that take placewithin a user interface which can be displayed by various types ofmechanisms such as software and hardware based controls, interfaces, orplug and play devices.

A “memory,” as used herein can include volatile memory and/ornonvolatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include, for example, ROM(read only memory), PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM(erasable PROM) and EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). Volatile memorycan include, for example, RAM (random access memory), synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DRRAM).

A “module”, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, hardware,firmware, software in execution on a machine, and/or combinations ofeach to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause afunction or action from another module, method, and/or system. A modulecan include a software controlled microprocessor, a discrete logiccircuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a programmed logicdevice, a memory device containing executing instructions, and so on.

An “operable connection,” as used herein can include a connection bywhich entities are “operably connected”, is one in which signals,physical communications, and/or logical communications can be sentand/or received. An operable connection can include a physicalinterface, a data interface and/or an electrical interface.

An “output device” as used herein can include devices that can derivefrom vehicle components, systems, subsystems, and electronic devices.The term “output devices” includes, but is not limited to: displaydevices, and other devices for outputting information and functions.

A “processor”, as used herein, processes signals and performs generalcomputing and arithmetic functions. Signals processed by the processorcan include digital signals, data signals, computer instructions,processor instructions, messages, a bit, a bit stream, or other meansthat can be received, transmitted and/or detected. Generally, theprocessor can be a variety of various processors including multiplesingle and multicore processors and co-processors and other multiplesingle and multicore processor and co-processor architectures. Theprocessor can include various modules to execute various functions.

A “vehicle”, as used herein, refers to any moving vehicle that iscapable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by anyform of energy. The term “vehicle” includes, but is not limited to:cars, trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, motorcycles, scooters, boats,personal watercraft, and aircraft. In some cases, a motor vehicleincludes one or more engines.

A “vehicle system”, as used herein can include, but are not limited to,any automatic or manual systems that can be used to enhance the vehicle,driving and/or safety. Exemplary vehicle systems include, but are notlimited to: an electronic stability control system, an anti-lock brakesystem, a brake assist system, an automatic brake prefill system, a lowspeed follow system, a cruise control system, a collision warningsystem, a collision mitigation braking system, an auto cruise controlsystem, a lane departure warning system, a blind spot indicator system,a lane keep assist system, a navigation system, a transmission system,brake pedal systems, an electronic power steering system, visual devices(e.g., camera systems, proximity sensor systems), a climate controlsystem, an electronic pretensioning system, among others.

A “value” and “level”, as used herein can include, but is not limitedto, a numerical or other kind of value or level such as a percentage, anon-numerical value, a discrete state, a discrete value, a continuousvalue, among others. The term “value of X” or “level of X” as usedthroughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to anynumerical or other kind of value for distinguishing between two or morestates of X. For example, in some cases, the value or level of X may begiven as a percentage between 0% and 100%. In other cases, the value orlevel of X could be a value in the range between 1 and 10. In stillother cases, the value or level of X may not be a numerical value, butcould be associated with a given discrete state, such as “not X”,“slightly x”, “x”, “very x” and “extremely x”.

I. System Overview

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating one or more exemplary embodiments and not for purposes oflimiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplaryoperating environment of a smart entry hands free system 100 within avehicle 102 for providing hands free operation of at least one vehicledoor 104 a-104 e. The components of the system 100, as well as thecomponents of other systems, hardware architectures and softwarearchitectures discussed herein, can be combined, omitted or organizedinto different architecture for various embodiments. However, theexemplary embodiments discussed herein focus on the environment asillustrated in FIG. 1, with corresponding system components, and relatedmethods.

In an exemplary embodiment, hands free operation of the at least onevehicle door 104 a-104 e may include an automated powered opening andclosing of one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e of the vehicle 102 byone or more motors 106 a. -106 e associated with one or more of therespective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. The automated powered opening andclosing of one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e may be completedso that one or more individuals that wish to access the vehicle 102 maybe able to access one or more areas (not shown) of the vehicle 102 fromthe one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e without having to directly(e.g., physically) or indirectly (e.g., through the use of gestures,pressing of buttons) open and close one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e.

As described in more detail below, the automated powered opening andclosing of one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e may be based onone or more execution commands sent by a hand free door operationapplication-specific integrated circuit 108 (hereinafter referred to ashand free door ASIC) included as part of an electronic control unit 110(ECU) of the vehicle 102. The commands may be provided based ondeterminations that a portable device(s) 126 is located within apredetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102 that is located outside of aspace occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e and is stationarywithin the predetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102 for a predeterminedperiod of time.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the hand free door ASIC 108 may providecommands to provide an amount of power to close one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e based on determinations that the individual(s)(e.g., that is carrying the portable device(s) 126) has provided aninput to express an intention to close one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e and that the portable device(s) 126 is not (no longer)located within the predetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102. Asdiscussed below, in some embodiments, the hand free door ASIC 108 mayprovide commands to stop providing the power to close the respectivedoor(s) 104 a-104 e based on determination that the portable device(s)126 has been moved back towards the respective door(s) 104 a-104 ebefore the automatic (full) closure of the respective door(s) 104 a-104e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ECU 110 operably controls the vehicle102 and its components that may include, but are not limited to thecomponents shown in FIG. 1. The ECU 110 may include a microprocessor,one or more application-specific integrated circuit(s) (ASICs), or othersimilar devices. The ECU 110 may also include internal processingmemory, an interface circuit, and bus lines for transferring data,sending commands, and communicating with the systems and components ofthe vehicle 102. Generally, the ECU 110 includes a processor and memory(not shown). The ECU 110 also includes a separate communications device(not shown) for sending data internally in the vehicle 102. In one ormore embodiments, the hand free door ASIC 108 may be included in theform of an integrated circuit that is embedded as part of the ECU 110.In some embodiments, the hand free door ASIC 108 may include its ownmicroprocessor and memory (both not shown). In one embodiment, the ECU110 may operably communicate with a head unit (not shown) of the vehicle102. The ECU 110 and/or the head unit may send one or more commandsignals to a plurality of vehicle systems (shown in FIG. 2), that maycommunicate with the hand free door ASIC 108 to provide one or morenotifications to the individual(s).

In one or more embodiments, in addition to the aforementioned componentsof the system 100, the vehicle 102 may include a power control unit 112,a communication control unit 114, a storage unit 116, one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h, one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e, doorlocks 122 a-122 e, and door input buttons 124 a-124 e. As discussedbelow, the communication control unit 114 of the vehicle 102 may utilizethe one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h to send and receivecommunication signals (e.g., low frequency (LF) polling/polling responsesignals, other RF signals, Bluetooth® signals, and/or Wi-Fi signals)from one or more portable devices 126.

In one embodiment, the storage unit 116 of the vehicle 102 may includevarious memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache or systemmemory. As such, the memory may include static random access memory(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), orother similar memory devices. The storage unit 116 may be utilized tostore one or more operating systems, applications, associated operatingsystem data, application data, vehicle system and subsystem userinterface data, and the like that may be executed by the ECU 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described in more detail below, one ormore of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e may include, but may not belimited to, a left side front door 104 a, a left side rear door 104 b, aright side front door 104 c, a right side rear door 104 d, and atailgate door 104 e. One or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e mayinclude the associated motor 106 a-106 e that may operate the respectivevehicle doors 104 a-104 e based on signals sent and received from/by thehand free door ASIC 108. In one or more embodiments, one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e may include an automatically lifting door(e.g., lift gate door), a swinging door, or sliding door (specific doorconfigurations not shown) that may be manually opened or closed and/oropened or closed based on the operation of one or more of the associatedmotors 106 a-106 e that are supplied power by the power control unit 112of the vehicle 102.

Additionally, the associated motor 106 a-106 e may operate the lock 122a-122 e of each of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e based onsignals sent and received from/by the hand free door ASIC 108. Thelock(s) 122 a-122 e may function to be locked or unlocked by therespective motor 106 a-106 e based on the operation of one or more ofthe associated motors 106 a-106 e that are supplied power by the powercontrol unit 112 of the vehicle 102. As discussed below, the poweredlocking or unlocking of one or more of the door locks 122 a-122 e and/orthe opening or closing of the one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e maybe determined based on processing completed by the hand free door ASIC108.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more doors 104 a-104 e mayinclude the respective door input buttons 124 a-124 e. As describedbelow in more detail, the door input buttons 124 a-124 e may communicatewith various components of the vehicle 102 including the ECU 110 topartially control operation of one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e. For example, the door input buttons 124 a-124 e may be inputtedby an individual carrying the portable device(s) 126 to indicate thatthe individual intends for the tailgate door 104 e to be closed uponwalking away from the tailgate door 104 e, entering the vehicle 102,placing an object(s) within the vehicle 102, and/or removing object(s)from the vehicle 102.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 emay also include corresponding motion sensors 120 a-120 e that may bedisposed on or near one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. Forexample, the motion sensors 120 a-120 e may be disposed in one or moreareas that may include, but are not limited to, areas underneath therespective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, above the respective vehicle doors104 a-104 e, a floor board (not shown) of the vehicle 102 near therespective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, a ceiling (not shown) of thevehicle 102 near the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, and the like.

The one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e may include, but are notlimited to microwave motion sensors, infrared motion sensors, radarbased motion sensors, and the like, and may be utilized to sense themovement of individual(s) and/or object(s) sensed within a predetermineddetection range of the one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e. Inalternate embodiments, the one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e mayinclude additional sensors (not shown) that may be used to detect themovement of the individual(s) and/or object(s), such as touch sensors,proximity sensors, field disturbance sensors, and the like.Additionally, the one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e may be utilizedto sense a moving pattern of the individual(s) and/or object(s) that mayinclude a direction of movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s),and when motion associated with the individual(s) and/or object(s) is nolonger sensed within the predetermined detection range of the one ormore motion sensors 120 a-120 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the communication control unit 114 of thevehicle 102 is operably connected to the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h in addition to the ECU 110, the power control unit 112, and thehand free door ASIC 108. The communication control unit 114 may beconfigured to control operation of the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h to send one or more communication signals to the one or moreportable devices 126. Additionally, the communication control unit 114may be configured to control operation of the one or more transceivers118 a-118 h to receive one or more communication response signals fromthe one or more portable devices 126. In an exemplary embodiment, thecommunication control unit 114 of the vehicle 102 may utilize the one ormore transceivers 118 a-118 h to communicate with the one or moreportable devices 126 by transmitting/receiving RF and LF communicationsignals. However, it is to be appreciated that the communication controlunit 114 may utilize the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h and/oradditional/alternate components of the vehicle 102 to communicate withthe one or more portable devices 126 through alternate communicationmeans, including, but not limited to, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and/or similarwireless communication methods.

In one embodiment, the communication control unit 114 may send one ormore commands to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to send one or moretypes of signals at one or more signal strengths and at one or morefrequencies based on one or more commands received by the communicationcontrol unit 114 from the hand free door ASIC 108 and/or the ECU 110.Additionally, the communication control unit 114 may send the one ormore commands to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to send one or moretypes of signals at one or more signal strengths and at one or morefrequencies based on one or more amounts of power supplied to thetransceivers(s) 118 a-118 h by the power control unit 112, as may bedetermined by the hand free door ASIC 108 and/or the ECU 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h maybe capable of providing wireless computer communications utilizingvarious protocols to be used to send/receive electronic signalsinternally to components and systems within the vehicle 102 and toexternal devices including the one or more portable devices 126. The oneor more transceivers 118 a-118 h may include respective transmitterantennas (not shown) and receiver antennas (not shown) that may beseparate components or may be configured as a single component. The oneor more transceivers 118 a-118 h may be included at one or more areas ofthe vehicle 102 that may be utilized to determine a location of theportable device(s) 126 and/or a movement of the portable device(s) 126with respect to the vehicle 102 and/or specifically with respect to oneor more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. For example, as shown in FIG.1, transceivers 118 a-118 h may be provided within a vicinity of each ofthe vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, at a front portion 128 a (e.g., hood) ofthe vehicle 102, at a middle portion 128 b of the vehicle 102, and at arear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle 102 to send and receivesignals from various areas around the vehicle 102.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h maybe operably controlled to transmit one or more polling signals to aplurality of zones (e.g., areas around the vehicle 102/one or morevehicle doors 104 a-104 e) at one or more predetermined pollingfrequencies to the one or more portable devices 126. In one embodiment,the plurality of zones may include a wide area polling zone 130 andlocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f that include a predeterminedarea(s) around the vehicle 102. In particular, the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f may include predetermined area(s) around the vehicle102 that are in close proximity (near) the respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e.

Additional local area polling zones that are provided at additionalareas of the vehicle 102 that may not be shown in FIG. 1 may also becontemplated. For example, in some embodiments, one or more local areapolling zones (not shown) may be provided within and outside of themiddle portion 128 b of the vehicle 102 and/or the rear portion 128 c ofthe vehicle 102. It is to be appreciated that additional zones may beprovided between the wide area polling zone 130 and the one or morelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f. For instance, in some embodiments,detection zones (not shown) may be provided that may be located inbetween the wide area polling zone 130 and the one or more local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f or may encompass one or more of the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f. For example, a detection zone may be providedthat is between a boundary of the wide area polling zone and theboundaries of the local area polling zone 132 a and the local areapolling zone 132 b.

In an exemplary embodiment, predetermined areas within the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 e (located near the respective vehicle doors 104a-104 e) may be identified as a plurality of door area zones 134 a-134e. In particular, the plurality of door area zones 134 a-134 e includethe predetermined areas within the local area polling zones 132 a-132 ethat include a space that may be occupied by the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e when the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is being openedor closed. The door area zones 134 a-134 e may represent respectiveareas near the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e that may be determined as aspace where individuals and/or objects may interfere with the openingand/closing of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e and mayconstitute as a hazard with respect to automatically opening and/orclosing of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. For example, thedoor area zones 134 a-134 e may include a maximum amount of spaceutilized when the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e are being swung opened orswung closed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more portable devices 126 mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more of electronic key fobs,smart keys, mobile electronic devices, smart phones, remote controls,and the like. Several functions of the vehicle 102 may be controlled byuser input that is provided on the one or more portable devices 126 thatinfluence and/or command the ECU 110 and/or hand free door ASIC 108 tocontrol the components of the system 100 based on wireless computercommunication between the portable device(s) 126 and the transceiver(s)118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102.

In one embodiment, the one or more portable devices 126 may include amicroprocessor 136 that is utilized to operably control components ofthe portable device(s) 126. The microprocessor 136 may include memory,an interface circuit, and bus lines, for transferring data, sendingcommands, communicating with the various components and controlling anoverall operation of the portable device(s) 126. In one embodiment, themicroprocessor 136 may store a specific identification code thatspecifically corresponds to the portable device(s) 126 to be used as anidentification mechanism by the vehicle 102.

The one or more portable devices 126 may also include a transceiver 138that may send and receive electronic signals to and from the vehicle102. In particular, the transceiver 138 may receive polling signals thatare transmitted by the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h within thewide area polling zone 130 and the one or more local area polling zones132 a-132 f. Upon receipt of the polling signals transmitted by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102, the transceiver 138 maytransmit one or more LF polling response signals back to the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102. In an exemplary embodiment,transceiver 138 may communicate with the vehicle 102 bytransmitting/receiving RF and LF communication signals. However, it isto be appreciated that the transceiver 138 and/or additional/alternatecomponents of the one or more portable devices 126 may communicate withthe vehicle 102 through alternate communication means, including, butnot limited to, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and/or similar wireless communicationmethods.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more portable devices 126 mayadditionally include input buttons 140 that may include, but are notlimited to, door lock buttons, door unlock buttons, door open/closestart/stop button (individual buttons not shown). As will be describedbelow, in one embodiment, input of the door open/close start/stop buttonthat may be utilized to start or stop the powered opening or closing ofone or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

The hand free door ASIC 108 of the ECU 110 will now be discussed in moredetail. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary operatingenvironment of hand free door ASIC 108, according to an exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in an illustrative embodiment, the handfree door ASIC 108 may execute and store one or more modules 202-206that may include a polling signal module 202, a door actuation module204, and a sensor control module 206.

In operation, the polling signal module 202 of the hand free door ASIC108 may provide command signals to the communication control unit 114 tosend signals to the power control unit 112 to supply one or morepredetermined amounts of power to the one or more transceivers 118 a-118h. Upon receiving the one or more predetermined amounts of power, theone or more transceivers 118 a-118 h may be configured to send one ormore polling signals to the wide area polling zone 130 and one or morelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f at one or more polling frequenciesto be communicated to the portable device(s) 126.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may communicate withthe communication control unit 114 to receive data that pertains to theone or more LF polling response signals that are transmitted by thetransceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126. The polling signal module202 may interpret the one or more received LF polling response signalsand may determine a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of LFpolling response signal(s) that are transmitted by the portabledevice(s) 126.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may access andutilize signal strength thresholds that pertain to the one or more LFpolling response signals received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Thesignal strength thresholds may be stored on the storage unit 116 and areindicative of the signal strength(s) of the LF polling responsesignal(s) that are transmitted by the portable device(s) 126. In otherwords, the one or more signal strength thresholds may include valuesthat are indicative of RSSI threshold values that are respectivelyassociated to each of the transceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102.Therefore, each of the transceivers 118 a-118 h may be associated withits own set of signal strength thresholds that may be utilized by thepolling signal module 202 when it is determined that one or morerespective transceivers 118 a-118 h has received the LF polling responsesignal(s) from the portable device(s) 126. In other words, the signalstrength thresholds associated with one of the transceivers 118 a-118 hmay include unique values (e.g., different values) from signal strengththresholds associated with another of the transceivers 118 a-118 h. Forexample, signal strength thresholds that are associated with thetransceiver 118 a may differ from signal strength thresholds that areassociated with the transceiver 118 e.

In one or more embodiments, the signal strength thresholds may includelocal area signal strength threshold values that are associated witheach transceiver 118 a-118 h. The local area signal strength thresholdvalues may be utilized by the polling signal module 202 to determine anexistence of the portable device(s) 126 within or outside of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f. In other words, the local area signalstrength threshold values may be utilized by the polling signal module202 to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is within one or more ofthe local area polling zones 132 a-132 f of the vehicle 102.

More specifically, the local area signal strength threshold values maypertain to signal strength values of the received LF polling responsesignal(s) for each of the transceivers 118 a-118 h. The local areasignal strength threshold values may pertain to a respective signalstrength value that is used to determine that the portable device(s) 126is located within one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132f such that if the received signal strength value is equal to or aboveone of the local area signal strength threshold values, the portabledevice(s) 126 may be determined to be in one or more of the respectivelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f.

Conversely, if the received signal strength value is below the localarea signal strength threshold values, the portable device(s) 126 may bedetermined to be in the wide area polling zone 130. Therefore, thepolling signal module 202 may utilize the local area signal strengththreshold values to determine the location of the portable device(s) 126with respect to the vehicle 102 based on a comparison between thereceived signal strength of one or more received LF polling responsesignals transmitted by the portable device(s) 126 and the signalstrength threshold values. As described below, the hand free door ASIC108 may utilize this information to provide one or more amounts of powerto unlock/lock one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e and/orprovide further evaluation as to if one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e should be opened/closed.

In one or more embodiments, the signal strength thresholds mayadditionally include door area signal strength threshold values that areassociated with each transceiver 118 a-118 h. The door area signalstrength threshold values may be utilized by the polling signal module202 to determine an existence of the portable device(s) 126 within oroutside of the door area zones 134 a-134 e of the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 e. In other words, the door area signal strengththreshold values may be utilized by the polling signal module 202 todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 is within one or more of thedoor area zones 134 a-134 e of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 eto possibly indicate that the portable device(s) 126 is located withinthe space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e during opening orclosing.

In particular, the door area signal strength threshold values maypertain to signal strength values of the received LF polling responsesignal(s) for each of the transceivers 118 a-118 h. The door area signalstrength threshold values may pertain to a respective signal strengthvalue that is used to determine that the portable device(s) 126 islocated within one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134 e such thatif the received signal strength value is equal to or above one of thedoor area signal strength threshold values, the portable device(s) 126may be determined to be in one or more of the respective door area zones134 a-134 e, within the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e during opening or closing. Conversely, if the received signal strengthvalue is below the door area signal strength threshold values but isequal to or above the local area signal strength threshold values, theportable device(s) 126 may be determined to be located within one of therespective local area polling zones 132 a-132 f, outside of the doorarea zones 134 a-134 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the signal strength thresholds stored on thestorage unit 116 may additionally include one or more signal strengthdeviation threshold values that may provide a maximum deviation ofsignal strengths between two or more LF polling response signals todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 are remaining stationary orbeing moved within the one or more local area polling zones 132 a-132 f.The polling signal module 202 may analyze signal strengths associatedwith two or more received LF polling response signals transmitted by theportable device(s) 126 against the maximum signal strength deviationthreshold values associated with one or more of the transceivers 118a-118 h to determine if the portable device(s) 126 are remainingstationary for a predetermined period of time within one of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f and outside of the door area zones 134a-134 e in order to actuate one or more of the motors 106 a-106 e toopen one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In another embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may communicatewith the communication control unit 114 to receive data that pertains tothe one or more signals that are sent by the communication control unit114 and the one or more LF polling response signals(s) that are receivedby the communication control unit 114 upon being transmitted by thetransceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126. The polling signal module202 may be configured to measure a distance between the portabledevice(s) 126 and one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h based on a timeof flight measurement (TOF) of each of the received RF polling responsesignals. In particular, the time of flight measurement of each of thereceived RF polling response signals may be determined by the pollingsignal module 202 by computing on one or more respective timedifferences between the transmission of the LF polling signal(s) by thecommunication control unit 114 and the receipt of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) as transmitted by the transceiver 138 and received byone or more of the transceivers 118 a-118 h operably connected to thecommunication control unit 114.

In one configuration, the polling signal module 202 may access andutilize TOF threshold measurement values (TOF threshold values) thatpertain to the one or more LF polling response signals received by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. The TOF threshold values may be stored onthe storage unit 116 and are indicative of the TOF measurement value(s)(TOF value(s)) of the LF polling response signal(s) that are transmittedby the portable device(s) 126. In other words, the TOF threshold valuesmay be indicative of time of flight measurement values (e.g., timeduration values) that are respectively associated to each of thetransceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102 based on signals that aresent and/or received by the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.Therefore, each of the transceivers 118 a-118 h may be associated withits own set of TOF threshold values that may be utilized by the pollingsignal module 202 when it is determined that one or more respectivetransceivers 118 a-118 h has received the LF polling response signal(s)from the portable device(s) 126. In other words, the TOF thresholdvalues associated with one of the transceivers 118 a-118 h may includeunique values (e.g., different values) from TOF threshold valuesassociated with another of the transceivers 118 a-118 h. For example,TOF threshold values that are associated with the transceiver 118 a maydiffer from TOF threshold values that are associated with thetransceiver 118 e.

In one or more embodiments, the TOF threshold values may include localarea TOF threshold values that are associated with each transceiver 118a-118 h. The local area TOF threshold values may be utilized by thepolling signal module 202 to determine an existence of the portabledevice(s) 126 within or outside of the local area polling zones 132a-132 f. In other words, the local area TOF threshold values may beutilized by the polling signal module 202 to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 is within one or more of the local area polling zones 132a-132 f of the vehicle 102.

More specifically, the local area TOF threshold values may pertain toTOF values of the received LF polling response signal(s) for each of thetransceivers 118 a-118 h. The local area TOF threshold values maypertain to a respective TOF value that is used to determine that theportable device(s) 126 (and the individual(s) holding the portabledevice(s) 126) is located within one or more of the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f such that if the TOF value is equal to or below one ofthe local area TOF threshold values, the portable device(s) 126 may bedetermined to be in one or more of the respective local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f.

Conversely, if the received TOF value is above the local area TOFthreshold values, the portable device(s) 126 may be determined to be inthe wide area polling zone 130. Therefore, the polling signal module 202may utilize the local area TOF threshold values to determine thelocation of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102based on a comparison between the TOF value(s) of one or more receivedLF polling response signals transmitted by the portable device(s) 126and the TOF threshold values. As described below, the hand free doorASIC 108 may utilize this information to provide one or more amounts ofpower to unlock/lock one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e and/orprovide further evaluation as to if one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e should be opened/closed.

In one or more embodiments, the TOF threshold values may additionallyinclude door area TOF threshold values that are associated with eachtransceiver 118 a-118 h. The door area TOF threshold values may beutilized by the polling signal module 202 to determine an existence ofthe portable device(s) 126 within or outside of the door area zones 134a-134 e of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 e. In other words, thedoor area TOF threshold values may be utilized by the polling signalmodule 202 to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is within one ormore of the door area zones 134 a-134 e of the local area polling zones132 a-132 e to possibly indicate that the individual(s) is locatedwithin the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e duringopening or closing.

In particular, the door area TOF threshold values may pertain to TOFvalues of the received LF polling response signal(s) for each of thetransceivers 118 a-118 h. The door area TOF threshold values may pertainto a respective TOF value that is used to determine that the portabledevice(s) 126 (and the individual(s) holding the portable device(s) 126)is located within one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134 e suchthat if the TOF value associated with the LF polling response signal(s)is equal to or below one of the door area TOF threshold values, theportable device(s) 126 may be determined to be located in one or more ofthe respective door area zones 134 a-134 e, within the space occupied bythe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e during opening or closing.

Conversely, if the TOF value of the LF polling response signal(s) isabove the door area TOF threshold values but is equal to or below thelocal area TOF threshold values, the portable device(s) 126 may bedetermined to be located within one of the respective local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f, outside of the door area zones 134 a-134 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the TOF threshold values stored on thestorage unit 116 may additionally include one or more TOF measurementdeviation threshold values that may provide a maximum deviation of timeof flight measurement values between two or more LF polling responsesignals to determine if the portable device(s) 126 are stationary ormoving within the one or more local area polling zones 132 a-132 f. Thepolling signal module 202 may analyze TOF values associated with two ormore received LF polling response signals transmitted by the portabledevice(s) 126 against the maximum TOF measurement deviation thresholdvalues associated with one or more of the transceivers 118 a-118 h todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 are stationary for apredetermined period of time within one of the local area polling zones132 a-132 f and outside of the door area zones 134 a-134 e in order toactuate one or more of the motors 106 a-106 e to open one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In one or more embodiments, upon receiving the LF polling responsesignal(s) from the portable device(s) 126, the communication controlunit 114 may analyze data received by the signals and data pertaining tothe one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h that are receiving the LFpolling response signal(s). The polling signal module 202 may evaluatethe data and may determine which of the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h are receiving the LF polling response signal(s). In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may determine which one of thetransceivers 118 a-118 h are receiving the LF polling response signal(s)with the highest signal strength and may access the storage unit 116 toretrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with the respectivetransceiver 118 a-118 h.

In circumstances in which the polling signal module 202 determines thatmore than one of the transceivers 118 a-118 h is receiving the LFpolling response signal(s) with the highest signal strength (e.g., morethan one transceiver 118 a-118 h received the LF polling response signalwithin a predetermined signal strength range), the polling signal module202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strengththresholds associated with the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In an additional embodiment, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally or alternatively determine which one of the transceivers118 a-118 h are receiving the LF polling response signal(s) with thelowest TOF value and may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the TOFthreshold values associated with the respective transceiver 118 a-118 h.In circumstances in which the polling signal module 202 determines thatmore than one of the transceivers 118 a-118 h is receiving the LFpolling response signal(s) with the lowest TOF value (e.g., more thanone transceiver 118 a-118 h received the LF polling response signalwithin a predetermined TOF value range), the polling signal module 202may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the TOF threshold valuesassociated with the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may comparethe signal strength of the LF polling response signal(s) against thesignal strength thresholds associated with the respective transceiver(s)118 a-118 h as stored on the storage unit 116 to determine the locationand/or movement of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to thevehicle 102. Additionally or alternatively, the polling signal module202 may compare the TOF value of the LF polling response signal(s)against the TOF threshold values associated with the respectivetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h as stored on the storage unit 116 todetermine the location and/or movement of the portable device(s) 126with respect to the vehicle 102. In particular, as described below, thepolling signal module 202 may utilize the local area signal strengththreshold value(s) and/or the local TOF threshold value(s) associatedwith each of the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 may be located within one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f or the wide area polling zone 130.The polling signal module 202 may additionally utilize the door areasignal strength threshold value(s) and/or the door area TOF thresholdvalue(s) associated with each one of the transceivers 118 a-118 h todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 may be located within one ormore of the door area zones 134 a-134 e. If it is determined that theportable device(s) 126 is located within one or more of the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f but not within the one or more door area zones134 a-134 e, the polling signal module 202 may utilize the one or moresignal strength deviation threshold values associated with one or moreof the transceivers 118 a-118 h to determine if the portable device(s)126 is or is not stationary for a predetermined period of time.

The predetermined period of time utilized by the polling signal module202 may be a period of time that is deemed to be appropriate for theportable device(s) 126 to be remaining stationary within the one or moreof the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f for the hand free door ASIC108 to safely actuate powered opening/closing of one or more vehicledoors 104 a-104 e. The powered opening/closing of the one or morevehicle doors 104 a-104 e may be individually actuated based on thedetermination of the location of the portable device(s) 126 within oneor more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f that are in closestproximity to the one or more respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may execute atimer that is utilized to determine if the predetermined period of timehas expired to determine if the portable device(s) 126 remainsstationary for the predetermined period of time. The timer may actuate acountdown sequence that may include a total time that is representativeof the amount of time that is deemed to be appropriate for the portabledevice(s) 126 to be remaining stationary within the one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f (outside of the one or more doorarea zones 134 a-134 e) in order for the hand free door ASIC 108 tosafely actuate powered opening of one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 edetermined to be located in closest proximity to the portable device(s)126.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may interpretthe one or more LF polling response signals received by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h from the one or more portable devices 126 inthe manner discussed above to possibly unlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 eand/or to open one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. Similarly,the polling signal module 202 may interpret the one or more LF pollingresponse signals to determine the location and movement of the portabledevice(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102 to possibly lock thelock(s) 122 a-122 e and/or to close one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e after being unlocked and opened.

In one embodiment, upon determining the location and the movement of theportable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102, the pollingsignal module 202 may send one or more data signals to the dooractuation module 204 of the hand free door ASIC 108. The door actuationmodule 204 may provide one or more commands to the power control unit112 of the vehicle 102 to supply one or more requisite amounts of powerto one or more of the motors 106 a-106 e to lock and unlock one or moreof the door locks 122 a-122 e of associated vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.Additionally, the door actuation module 204 may provide one or morecommands to the power control unit 112 of the vehicle 102 to supply oneor more requisite amounts of power to one or more of the motors 106a-106 e to open and/or close one or more of the associated vehicle doors104 a-104 e. As will be discussed, in one or more embodiments, the dooractuation module 204 may evaluate data provided by the polling signalmodule 202 and/or the sensor control module 206 to reactively providethe one or more commands to the power control unit 112 to supply therequisite amount(s) of power to lock, unlock, open and/or close one ormore of the doors 104 a-104 e.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hand free door ASIC 108 may operably communicatewith a plurality of vehicle systems 208 to provide one or morenotifications to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126that the polling signal module 202 is determining if the portabledevice(s) 126 is remaining stationary for the predetermined period oftime. These notifications may be provided to inform the individual thatif the portable device(s) 126 is to be remaining in the stationarypositon for the predetermined period of time (e.g., based on theindividual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126 and standing in astationary positon) and does not enter the door area zones 134 a-134 e,the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may be opened or closed after theexpiration of the predetermined period of time.

In particular, the plurality of vehicle systems 208 may include, but maynot be limited to, a window notification system 210, a lighting system212, and an infotainment system 214. However, it is to be appreciatedthat the plurality of vehicle systems 208 may include additional vehiclesystems and vehicle subsystems that are not shown in FIG. 2 (e.g.,vehicle navigation system). In an exemplary embodiment, the windownotification system 210 may be operably connected to one or more lightsources (not shown) that may be disposed within respective windows (notshown) of the vehicle 102 included within the respective vehicle doors104 a-104 e. The one or more light sources may be configured as in-glassembedded lighting that may be viewed in one or more colors to present aneffect of including one or more textual and/or one or more non-textualgraphics etched within one or more portions of the respective windows ofthe vehicle 102.

In particular, the one or more textual graphics may include text thatmay be presented based on operation of the hand free door ASIC 108, theECU 110 in general, and/or one or more additional vehicle systems. Theone or more non-textual graphics may include one or more illustrations(e.g., illustration of a vehicle door opening) that may also bepresented based on operation of the hand free door ASIC 108, the ECU 110in general, and/or the one or more additional vehicle systems. Asdiscussed below, the polling signal module 202 may communicate with thewindow notification system 210 to provide the notification(s) relatingto the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary, upon the pollingsignal module 202 determining that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f and islocated outside of one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134 e.

In one embodiment, the lighting system 212 may control one or moreexternal and internal lights not shown) of the vehicle 102. Morespecifically, the lighting system 212 may control external head lights,tail lights, signal lights, fender lights, and the like based on theoperation of the hand free door ASIC 108, the ECU 110 in general, and/orthe one or more additional vehicle systems. Additionally, the lightingsystem 212 may control internal dome lights, dash board lights, centerstack lights, door panel lights, and/or interior panel lights based alsoon the operation of the hand free door ASIC 108, the ECU 110 in general,and/or the one or more additional vehicle systems.

In some embodiments, the lighting system 212 may provide lighting at oneor more brightness levels based on the operation of the hand free doorASIC 108. As discussed below, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate with the lighting system 212 to provide the notification(s)relating to the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary, upon thepolling signal module 202 determining that the portable device(s) 126 islocated within one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 fand is located outside of one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134e.

In one or more embodiments, the infotainment system 214 of the vehicle102 may control one or more visual and audio notifications that arepresented within the vehicle 102 and outside of the vehicle 102. Inparticular, the infotainment system 214 may be operably connected to oneor more display units (not shown), one or more internal speakers (notshown), and one or more external speakers (not shown) of the vehicle 102to provide notifications to the individual(s) carrying the portabledevice(s) 126 located within or around the vehicle 102. In an alternateembodiment, a body control module (BCM) (not shown) of the vehicle 102may control the one or more visual and audio notifications that arepresented within the vehicle 102 and outside of the vehicle 102. The BCMmay be operably connected to the one or more display units and the oneor more internal and/or external speakers of the vehicle 102 to providethe notifications to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s)126 located within or around the vehicle 102. The polling signal module202 may communicate with the infotainment system 214 and/or the BCM toprovide the notification(s) relating to the portable device(s) 126remaining stationary, upon the polling signal module 202 determiningthat the portable device(s) 126 is located within one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f and is located outside of one ormore of the door area zones 134 a-134 e.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate with the window notification system 210 upon determiningthat the portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary for a firstperiod of the predetermined period of time within one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f and is outside of the door areazones 134 a-134 e. The window notification system 210 may responsivelyprovide a notification in a textual and/or non-textual format thatinstructs the individual(s) to ensure that the portable device(s) 126remains in the stationary position for a remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative example of a tailgate window 302 of a tailgatedoor 104 e of the vehicle 102 that includes a notification 304 relatingto the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary according to anexemplary embodiment. As an illustrative example, upon determining thatthe portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary for the first periodof the predetermined period of time within the local area polling zone132 e and is located outside of the door area zone 134 e, the pollingsignal module 202 may communicate respective data to the windownotification system 210. The data may be indicative of the countdownsequence of the timer counting down the amount of time remaining beforethe expiration of the predetermined period of time. The windownotification system 210 may responsively present the notification 304relating to the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary.

In particular, the notification 304 may be presented in a textual formatas shown that may indicate to the individual(s) that the portabledevice(s) 126 is to be remaining stationary for a remaining amount oftime of the predetermined amount of time to automatically open thetailgate door 104 e. As shown, the notification 304 may include acountdown notification 306 that may present a countdown timer thatcounts down the remaining amount of time before the expiration of thepredetermined amount of time to automatically open the tailgate door 104e. In some embodiments, the notification 304 may additionally includetext that indicates to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s)126 that they should remain a safe distance away from the tailgate door104 e since it will be automatically opened immediately upon theexpiration of the predetermined amount of time as the portable device(s)126 remains stationary within the local area polling zone 132 e. Inadditional embodiments, the notification 304 may include one or moreillustrative graphics (e.g., presenting a vehicle door opening) duringthe predetermined amount of time, and/or immediately upon the expirationof the predetermined amount of time as the portable device(s) 126remains stationary within the local area polling zone 132 e. Theillustrative graphic may provide notification to the individual toensure that the portable device(s) 126 remains stationary during thepredetermined amount of time and that the tailgate door 104 e is aboutto be automatically opened to inform the individual carrying theportable device(s) 126 to remain a safe distance behind the tailgatedoor 104 e upon the completion of the predetermined amount of time.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, if the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 does not remainstationary before the expiration of the predetermined period of time,the polling signal module 202 may send a respective signal(s) to thewindow notification system 210. The window notification system 210 mayprovide a textual or non-textual notification informing theindividual(s) that the portable device(s) 126 did not remain stationaryand that the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e will not beautomatically opened. In some embodiments, if the portable device(s) 126is determined to be no longer within the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may communicate with the windownotification system 210 to no longer present the notification of theportable device(s) 126 remaining stationary.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate with the lighting system 212 of the vehicle 102 upondetermining that the portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary forthe first period of the predetermined period of time. The lightingsystem 212 may provide select vehicle lighting (e.g., tailgate lighting)at a full brightness level at the first period of the predeterminedperiod of time and may start dimming as the polling signal module 202sends data that is indicative of the countdown sequence of the timercounting down the amount of time remaining before the expiration of thepredetermined period of time. In other words, during the duration of thepredetermined period of time, as the polling signal module 202 executesthe timer to countdown the predetermined period of time, the lightingsystem 212 may present the vehicle light being presented at a fullbrightness level to a dimming brightness level as the countdownpersists.

In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202 determines that theportable device(s) 126 does not remain stationary before the expirationof the predetermined period of time, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate respective data to the lighting system 212. The lightingsystem 212 may responsively provide the vehicle lighting at the fullbrightness to provide indication to the individual(s) to ensure that theportable device(s) 126 remains stationary. In some embodiments, if theportable device(s) 126 is determined to be no longer within the localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate respective data to the lighting system 212. The lightingsystem 212 may responsively disable the vehicle lighting so that theindividual is no longer provided the notification.

In an additional embodiment, in addition to or in lieu of communicatingwith the window notification system 210 and/or the lighting system 212,the polling signal module 202 may communicate with the infotainmentsystem 214 and/or the BCM of the vehicle 102 upon determining that theportable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary for the first period ofthe predetermined period of time. The infotainment system 214 and/or theBCM may responsively provide one or more audio notifications that areprovided via the external speakers of the vehicle 102. In particular,the audio notification(s) may be provided to indicate the timer countingdown the amount of time remaining before the expiration of thepredetermined period of time and/or the expiration of the predeterminedamount of time. Additionally, the infotainment system 214 and/or the BCMmay also be utilized to provide one or more audio notifications that areprovided via the external speakers to indicate that the portabledevice(s) 126 has been determined not to have remained stationary forthe predetermined amount of time required to automatically open thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, upon the polling signal module 202determining that the portable device(s) 126 does not remain stationarybefore the expiration of the predetermined period of time.

With reference to the automatic closure of the one or more vehicle doors104 a-104 e, the door actuation module 204 may evaluate data from thedoor input buttons 124 a-124 e and may provide command signals to thepolling signal module 202 and/or the sensor control module 206 to sendsignals to determine movement of the portable device(s) 126,individual(s) and/or object(s) away from one or more respective vehicledoors 104 a-104 e that are determined to be open to actuate walk-awayclosing and locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may determine the location andmovement of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102after determining that one or more of the door input buttons 124 a-124 ehave been inputted by the individual(s).

In particular, in the circumstance that a respective vehicle door 104a-104 e is open, and the door actuation module 204 determines that oneor more of the door input buttons 124 a-124 e have been inputted by theindividual(s), the door actuation module 204 may communicate with thepolling signal module 202 to determine if the portable device(s) 126 isstill within a respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e tofurther determine if the portable device(s) 126 is being moved away fromthe respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. If the polling signal module202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is being moved away fromthe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the polling signal module 202 may sendone or more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 toactuate closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor control module 206 of the handfree door ASIC 108 may receive one or more data signals based on dataprovided by one or more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e, the pollingsignal module 202 and/or the door actuation module 204. In one or moreembodiments, the sensor control module 206 may activate one or more ofthe motion sensors 120 a-120 e upon determining that one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e has been previously opened.

As described below, the sensor control module 206 may also calibrate oneor more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e to adjust the predetermineddetection range of one or more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e basedon a measured amount of the opening of one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e to account for the movement of the individual(s) and/or theobject(s) that occur due to the space occupied by the vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e during opening or closing. In one or more embodiments, thesensor control module 206 may evaluate data from one or more of themotion sensors 120 a-120 e and data provided by other components of thevehicle 102 such as the door input buttons 124 a-124 e and may providecommand signals to the door actuation module 204 to send signals toclose one or more of the doors 104 a-104 e of the vehicle 102. Thesensor control module 206 may further evaluate data from the one or moremotion sensors 120 a-120 e to send signals to stop the closure of one ormore of the doors 104 a-104 e if it is determined that the individual(s)approaches the space occupied by the one or more of the doors 104 a-104e during the powered closure of the respective one or more of doors 104a-104 e.

In some embodiments, the door actuation module 204 may evaluate datafrom the door input buttons 124 a-124 e and may provide command signalsto the sensor control module 206 to determine if movement of theindividual(s) or objects is occurring away from space occupied by one ormore of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e that is open. The door actuationmodule 204 may also communicate with the sensor control module 206 tofurther determine if there is any movement of the individual(s) or theobject(s) within the space occupied by one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e determined to be opened. As discussed below, if the sensorcontrol module 206 determines that movement of the individual(s) and/orobjects away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 eand that there is no movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) fora predetermined period of time after, the sensor control module 206 maysend one or more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 toactuate powered closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e.

In additional embodiments, the sensor control module 206 may utilizepredetermined gestures to initiate walk away closing and/or locking ofone or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. In particular, the sensor controlmodule 206 may access predetermined gesture data that is stored on thestorage unit 116 and may determine if the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 provide a predetermined gesture that may include,but is not limited to, a kicking gesture, a waving gesture, and the likethat is captured by one or more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e. Insome additional embodiments, the sensor control module 206 maycommunicate with the polling signal module 202 to determine the locationand movement of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle102 after determining that the predetermined gestures were sensed by themotion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e.

In particular, in the circumstance that a respective vehicle door 104a-104 e is open, and the sensor control module 206 determines that thepredetermined gesture is sensed, the sensor control module 206 maycommunicate with the polling signal module 202 to determine if theportable device(s) 126 is still within a respective local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 e to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is beingmoved away from the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. If thesensor control module 206 determines that the portable device(s) 126 isbeing moved away from the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the sensorcontrol module 206 may send one or more respective signals to the dooractuation module 204 to actuate powered closing and/or locking of thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In some embodiments, upon sending thesignal(s) to actuate powered closing of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e,the sensor control module 206 may further evaluate data to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 is being moved back towards the vehicle 102and is located within a predetermined distance of one of the door areazones 134 a-134 e and may send signals to stop the powered closure ofone or more the doors 104 a-104 e since such a scenario may indicatethat the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126 may intend tore-enter or reach into the vehicle 102.

II. Exemplary Methods Utilized by the Hand Free Door ASIC

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method 400 for providing handsfree operation of at least one vehicle door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 will be described withreference to the components of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to beappreciated that the method of FIG. 4 may be used with other systemsand/or components. The method 400 will be explained in more detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 5A-5C that include process flow diagrams of amethod 500. With reference to FIG. 4, the method 400 may begin at block402, wherein the method 400 may include determining if a portable device126 is located within at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 fof a vehicle 102.

Block 402 will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 5A, aprocess flow diagram of a first part of the method 500 for providinghands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 eaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5Awill be described with reference to the components of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2though it is to be appreciated that the method of FIG. 5A may be usedwith other systems and/or components.

As described below, the method 500 will be discussed in three parts withrespect to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C that provide more detail withrespect to the blocks 402-406 of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Inparticular, the method 500 will describe process flows that may beexecuted by the hand free door ASIC 108 when executing blocks 402-406 ofthe method 400. The method 500 may begin at block 502, wherein themethod 500 may include transmitting a low power LF polling signal to theportable device(s) 126. In an exemplary embodiment, the ECU 110 maydetermine if the vehicle 102 is parked and the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e is in a locked and closed position. Upon this determination, the ECU110 may send a signal(s) to the polling signal module 202 of the handfree door ASIC 108 to initiate a portable device polling mode.

In one embodiment, during the portable device polling mode, the pollingsignal module 202 may send a command signal(s) to the communicationcontrol unit 114 to initiate transmission of one or more low power LFpolling signals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of thecommand signal(s), the communication control unit 114 may utilize thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit the one or more low power LFpolling signals that reaches a predetermined distance within the widearea polling zone 130. The communication control unit 114 may beconfigured to control the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit apredetermined number of LF low power polling signals within apredetermined time period. In some embodiments, the communicationcontrol unit 114 may be configured to control the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h to transmit the low power LF polling signal(s) at apredetermined frequency (e.g., every 600 ms) to determine if theportable device(s) 126 is located within the wide area polling zone 130.

The method 500 may proceed to block 504, wherein the method 500 mayinclude determining if the portable device(s) 126 is located within thewide area polling zone 130. In an exemplary embodiment, if the portabledevice(s) 126 (e.g., the individuals(s) carrying the portable device(s)126) is located within the wide area polling zone 130, the transceiver138 of the portable device(s) 126 may receive the low power LF pollingsignal(s) transmitted by the transceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle102. Upon receiving the low power LF polling signal, the microprocessor136 of the portable device(s) 126 may instruct the transceiver 138 ofthe portable device(s) 126 to transmit one or more long range LF pollingresponse signals to the vehicle 102. In some embodiments, the one ormore long range LF polling response signals may include a plurality oflong range LF polling response signals that may contain the specificidentification code that is stored on the microprocessor 136 thatspecifically corresponds to the portable device(s) 126 to be used as anidentification mechanism by the ECU 110 of the vehicle 102.

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the LF polling response signals byone or more of the transceivers 118 a-118 h, the communication controlunit 114 may analyze data received by the signals and data pertaining tothe one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h received by the LF pollingresponse signal(s) and may further communicate one or more LF pollingresponse data signals to the polling signal module 202. Upon receipt ofthe one or more LF polling response data signals, the polling signalmodule 202 may evaluate the data and may determine the signal strengthof at least one of the received LF response polling signal(s). In anadditional embodiment, upon receipt of the one or more LF pollingresponse data signals, the polling signal module 202 may additionally oralternatively evaluate the data associated with the one or more LFpolling response data signals and may determine the TOF value of atleast one of the received LF response polling signal(s).

In one configuration, the polling signal module 202 may thereby evaluatethe data from the LF polling response data signal(s) and may determinethe one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102 thatreceived the LF polling response signal(s) transmitted by the portabledevice(s) 126. The polling signal module 202 may determine which one ofthe transceivers 118 a-118 h received the LF polling signal with thehighest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value and may access thestorage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds associatedwith the respective transceiver 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may comparethe determined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s)received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h against the signal strengththresholds associated with the respective transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h asstored on the storage unit 116. In particular, the polling signal module202 may compare the determined signal strength(s) of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) against the local area signal strength thresholdvalue(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h whichare determined to have received the LF polling signal with the highestsignal strength and/or the lowest TOF value to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 may be located within the wide area polling zone 130. Ifthe polling signal module 202 determines that the determined signalstrength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) is below the local areasignal strength threshold value(s) associated with the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to have received the LFpolling response signal with the highest signal strength and/or thelowest TOF value, the polling signal module 202 may determine that theportable device(s) 126 is located within the wide area polling zone 130.

In an additional embodiment, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally or alternatively compare the determined TOF value(s) of theLF polling response signal(s) received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 hagainst the TOF threshold values associated with the respectivetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h as stored on the storage unit 116. Inparticular, the polling signal module 202 may compare the determined TOFvalue(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) against the local area TOFthreshold value(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h which are determined to have received the LF polling signal withthe highest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 may be located within the wide area pollingzone 130. If the polling signal module 202 determines that the TOFvalue(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) is above the local areasignal strength threshold value(s) associated with the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to have received the LFpolling response signal with the highest signal strength and/or thelowest TOF value, the polling signal module 202 may determine that theportable device(s) 126 is located within the wide area polling zone 130.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is located withinthe wide area polling zone 130 (at block 504), the method 500 mayproceed to block 506, wherein the method 500 may include transmitting ahigh power LF polling signal to the portable device(s) 126. In oneembodiment, during the portable device polling mode, the polling signalmodule 202 may send a command signal(s) to the communication controlunit 114 to initiate transmission of one or more high power LF pollingsignals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the commandsignal(s), the communication control unit 114 may utilize thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit the one or more high power LFpolling signals that reach the entirety of each of the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f. The communication control unit 114 may beconfigured to control the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit apredetermined number of high power LF polling signals within apredetermined time period. In one embodiment, the communication controlunit 114 may be configured to control the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h totransmit the high power LF polling signals at a predetermined frequency(e.g., once per every 100 ms) to determine if the portable device(s) 126is located within at least one of the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f.

With continued reference to FIG. 5A, the method 500 may proceed to block508, wherein the method 500 may include determining if the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within at least one local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f. In an exemplary embodiment, if the portable device(s) 126is located within one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132f, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126 may receive thehigh power LF polling signal(s) transmitted by the transceivers 118a-118 h of the vehicle 102. Upon receiving the high power LF pollingsignal(s), the microprocessor 136 of the portable device(s) 126 mayinstruct the transceiver 138 to send one or more (short range) LFpolling response signals within a predetermined frequency (e.g., onceper every 500 ms). In one embodiment, the polling response signals mayinclude the specific identification code that is stored on themicroprocessor 136 that specifically corresponds to the portabledevice(s) 126 to be used as an identification mechanism by the ECU 110of the vehicle 102.

Upon receipt of the short range LF polling response signals by one ormore of the transceivers 118 a-118 h, the communication control unit 114may analyze data received by the signals and data pertaining to the oneor more transceivers 118 a-118 h that received the LF polling responsesignal(s) and may communicate one or more LF polling response datasignals to the polling signal module 202. In one embodiment, uponreceipt of the one or more LF polling response data signals, the pollingsignal module 202 may evaluate the data and may determine the signalstrength of at least one of the received LF polling response signal(s).In an additional embodiment, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally or alternatively evaluate the data and may determine theTOF value of at least one of the received LF polling response signal(s).Additionally, the polling signal module 202 may evaluate the data fromthe short range power LF polling response data signal(s) and maydetermine the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102that received the LF polling response signal(s) transmitted by theportable device(s) 126.

As discussed above, the polling signal module 202 may determine whichone of the transceivers 118 a-118 h received the LF polling responsesignal with the highest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value andmay access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strengththresholds associated with the respective transceiver 118 a-118 h. Thepolling signal module 202 may additionally or alternatively access thestorage unit 116 to retrieve the TOF threshold values associated withassociated with the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may comparethe determined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s)received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h against the signal strengththresholds associated with the respective transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h asstored on the storage unit 116. In particular, the polling signal module202 may compare the determined signal strength(s) of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) against the local area signal strength thresholdvalue(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h whichare determined to have received the LF polling response signal with thehighest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value to determine if theportable device(s) 126 may be located within at least one of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f.

More specifically, if the polling signal module 202 determines that thedetermined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) isequal to or above the local area signal strength threshold value(s)associated with one or more of the transceivers 118 a-118 h which aredetermined to have received the LF response polling signal(s) with thehighest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value, the polling signalmodule 202 may then determine that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f. Therespective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f may be located at aclose proximity to the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h which aredetermined to have received the LF response polling signal(s) with thehighest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value. In one embodiment,the polling signal module 202 may be able to determine a location of theportable device(s) 126 within the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 fby determining and evaluating a difference between the signalstrength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) and the local areasignal strength threshold value(s) associated with the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to have received the LFpolling response signal(s) with the highest signal strength and/or thelowest TOF value.

As an illustrative example, if the transceiver 118 e is determined toreceive the LF polling response signal(s) with the highest signalstrength and/or the lowest TOF value from the portable device 126, thepolling signal module 202 may compare the signal strength of the LFpolling response signal(s) received against the local area signalstrength threshold value associated with the transceiver 118 e. If thesignal strength of the LF polling response signal(s) is equal to orabove the local area signal strength threshold value, the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin the local area polling zone 132 e which is in closest proximityto the transceiver 118 e and the tailgate door 104 e. The polling signalmodule 202 may additionally determine the difference between the signalstrength of the LF polling response signal(s) and the local area signalstrength threshold value associated with the transceiver 118 e and mayfurther determine the location of the portable device(s) 126 within thelocal area polling zone 132 e.

In an additional embodiment, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally or alternatively compare the determined TOF value(s) of theLF polling response signal(s) received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 hagainst the TOF threshold values associated with the respectivetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h as stored on the storage unit 116. Inparticular, the polling signal module 202 may compare the determined TOFvalue(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) against the TOF thresholdvalue(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h whichare determined to have received the LF polling response signal with thehighest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value to determine if theportable device(s) 126 may be located within at least one of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f.

More specifically, if the polling signal module 202 determines that theTOF value(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) is less than or equalto the local area TOF threshold value(s) which are determined to havereceived the LF response polling signal(s) with the highest signalstrength and/or the lowest TOF value, the polling signal module 202 maythen determine that the portable device(s) 126 is located within therespective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f. The respective localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f may be located at a close proximity tothe one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to havereceived the LF response polling signal(s) with the highest signalstrength and/or the lowest TOF value. In one configuration, the pollingsignal module 202 may be able to determine a location of the portabledevice(s) 126 within the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f bydetermining and evaluating a difference between the TOF value(s) of theLF polling response signal(s) and the local area TOF threshold value(s)associated with the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h which aredetermined to have received the LF polling response signal(s) with thehighest signal strength and/or the lowest TOF value.

As an illustrative example, if the transceiver 118 e is determined toreceive the LF polling response signal(s) with the highest signalstrength and/or the lowest TOF value from the portable device 126, thepolling signal module 202 may compare the TOF value(s) of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) received against the local area TOF threshold valueassociated with the transceiver 118 e. If the TOF value(s) of the LFpolling response signal(s) is below or equal to the local area TOFthreshold value, the polling signal module 202 may determine that theportable device(s) 126 is located within the local area polling zone 132e which is in closest proximity to the transceiver 118 e and thetailgate door 104 e. The polling signal module 202 may additionallydetermine the difference between the TOF value(s) of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) and the local area TOF threshold value associatedwith the transceiver 118 e and may further determine the location of theportable device(s) 126 within the local area polling zone 132 e.

As discussed, the method 500 provides additional detail with respect tothe blocks 402-406 of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Accordingly, blocks502-508 discussed above provide additional details as to determiningthat the portable device 126 is located within at least one local areazone of the vehicle 102, as determined at block 402 of the method 400.With reference to FIG. 4, upon determining that the portable device 126is located within the at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 fof the vehicle 102 (at block 402), the method 400 proceeds to block 404,wherein the method 400 may include determining if a portable device 126is stationary fora predetermined period of time within the at least onelocal area polling zone 132 a-132 f of the vehicle 102. In an exemplaryembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may make the aforementioneddetermination to further determine if the portable device(s) 126 isstationary (e.g., individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126 isstanding still) within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f outside of the door area zones 134 a-134 e of the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f. As discussed above, the hand free door ASIC108 may utilize the determination of if the portable device(s) 126 isremaining stationary for a predetermined period of time to send signalsto open or close the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

With reference again to the method 500 of FIG. 5A, at block 510, themethod 500 may include determining if the portable device(s) 126 islocated within at least one door area zone 134 a-134 e. In an exemplaryembodiment, upon determining the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 fthat the portable device 126(a) is located within (at block 508), thepolling signal module 202 will determine if the portable device(s) 126is located within at least one door area zone 134 a-134 e. In otherwords, if it is determined (at block 508) that the portable device(s)126 is located within the local area polling zone 132 f (that does notdirectly include any of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e), the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is notlocated within at least one door area zone.

In one embodiment, if it is determined that the portable device(s) 126is located within at least one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132e, the polling signal module 202 may further evaluate the LF pollingresponse signal(s) to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134 e. In an exemplaryembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may compare the determinedsignal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) against the doorarea signal strength threshold value(s) associated with the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 islocated. This comparison is completed to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 may be located within at least one of the door area zones134 a-134 e of the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e.

More specifically, if the polling signal module 202 determines that thedetermined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) isequal to or above the door area signal strength threshold value(s)associated with one or more of the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h,the polling signal module 202 may consequently determine that theportable device(s) 126 is located within the respective door areazone(s) 134 a-134 e. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202may be able to determine a specific location of the portable device(s)126 within the door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e by determining andevaluating a difference between the signal strength(s) of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) and the door area signal strength threshold value(s)associated with the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h that are inclosest proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in whichthe portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located.

As an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto be located in the local area polling zone 132 e, the polling signalmodule 202 may compare the signal strength of the LF polling responsesignal(s) received against the door area signal strength threshold valueassociated with the transceiver 118 e. If the signal strength of the LFpolling response signal(s) is equal to or above the door area signalstrength threshold value associated with the door area zone 134 e, thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126is located within the door area zone 134 e which is in closest proximityto the transceiver 118 e and the tailgate door 104 e. The polling signalmodule 202 may additionally determine the difference between the signalstrength of the LF polling response signal(s) and the door area signalstrength threshold value associated with the transceiver 118 e and mayfurther determine the location of the portable device(s) 126 within thedoor area zone 134 e. This determination may enable the polling signalmodule 202 to determine that the portable device(s) 126 may be locatedwithin the space occupied by the tailgate door 104 e as it opens orcloses.

In an additional embodiment, if is determined that the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within at least one of the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 e, the polling signal module 202 may additionally oralternatively evaluate the LF polling response signal(s) to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 is located within one or more of the doorarea zones 134 a-134 e based on the TOF value(s) of one or more LFpolling response signals. In particular, the polling signal module 202may compare the determined TOF value(s) of the LF polling responsesignal(s) against the door TOF threshold value(s) associated with theone or more transceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity tothe local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portabledevice(s) 126 is located. This comparison maybe completed to determineif the portable device(s) 126 may be located within at least one of thedoor area zones 134 a-134 e of the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132e.

More specifically, if the polling signal module 202 determines that thedetermined TOF value(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) is below orequal to the door area signal strength threshold value(s) associatedwith one or more of the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h, the pollingsignal module 202 may consequently determine that the portable device(s)126 is located within the respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e. Inone embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may be able to determine aspecific location of the portable device(s) 126 within the door areazone(s) 134 a-134 e by determining and evaluating a difference betweenthe TOF value(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) and the door areaTOF threshold value(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined to belocated.

As an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto be located in the local area polling zone 132 e, the polling signalmodule 202 may compare the TOF value(s) of the LF polling responsesignal(s) received against the door area TOF threshold value associatedwith the transceiver 118 e. If the signal strength of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) is below or equal to the door area TOF thresholdvalue associated with the door area zone 134 e, the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin the door area zone 134 e which is in closest proximity to thetransceiver 118 e and the tailgate door 104 e. The polling signal module202 may additionally determine the difference between the TOF value(s)of the LF polling response signal(s) and the door area TOF thresholdvalue associated with the transceiver 118 e and may further determinethe location of the portable device(s) 126 within the door area zone 134e. This determination may enable the polling signal module 202 todetermine that the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126 maybe located within the space occupied by the tailgate door 104 e as itopens or closes.

With continued reference to the method 500 of FIG. 5A, if it isdetermined that the portable device(s) 126 is located within at leastone door area zone (at block 510), the method 500 may revert back toblock 506, wherein the method 500 may include transmitting a high powerLF polling signal(s) to the portable device(s) 126. If it is determinedthat the portable device 126 is not located within at least one doorarea zone (at block 510), the method 500 may proceed to block 512,wherein the method 500 may include analyzing a primary LF pollingresponse signal from the portable device(s) 126 and determining aprimary signal strength value and/or a primary TOF value. In anexemplary embodiment, upon determining that the portable device(s) 126is located within the at least one local are polling zone 132 a-132 f(at block 508) and determining that the portable device(s) 126 is notlocated within at least one door area zone 134 a-134 e (at block 510),the polling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s) to thecommunication control unit 114 to reinitiate transmission of one or morehigh power LF polling signals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Uponreceipt of the command signal(s), the communication control unit 114 mayutilize the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 isdetermined to be located to transmit the one or more high power LFpolling signals. The one or more high power LF polling signals may reachthe entirety of respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located.

Upon the portable device(s) 126 receiving the one or more high power LFpolling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126 maysend a LF polling response signal to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Thecommunication control unit 114 may communicate data from the received LFpolling response signal from the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h of thevehicle 102 that are in closest proximity to the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined tobe located to the polling signal module 202. Upon receiving the datapertaining to the LF polling response signal, the polling signal module202 may identify the LF polling response signal as a primary LF pollingresponse signal.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may analyze the primaryLF polling response signal and may determine the signal strength of theprimary LF polling response signal based on the LF polling responsesignal received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102that are in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located.Upon determining the signal strength of the primary LF polling responsesignal, the polling signal module 202 may determine a primary signalstrength value that is indicative of the signal strength of the primaryLF polling response signal.

In another embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may additionally oralternatively analyze the primary LF polling response signal and maydetermine the TOF value of the primary LF polling response signal basedon the LF polling response signal received by the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h of the vehicle 102 that are in closest proximity to the localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 isdetermined to be located. Upon determining the TOF value of the primaryLF polling response signal, the polling signal module 202 may determinea primary TOF value that is indicative of the time of flight of theprimary LF polling response signal.

The method 500 may proceed to block 514, wherein the method 500 mayinclude storing the primary signal strength value and/or the primary TOFvalue on the storage unit 116. In one or more embodiments, upondetermining the primary signal strength value and/or the primary TOFvalue, the polling signal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 andmay store the primary signal strength value and/or the primary TOF valueon the storage unit 116. In some embodiments, the primary signalstrength value and/or the primary TOF value may be accessible to thepolling signal module 202 until the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto no longer be located within the respective local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f or vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is opened (e.g., manuallyopened by the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126).

FIG. 5B is a process flow diagram of a second part of the method 500 forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle door104 a-104 e according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 5B will also be described with reference to thecomponents of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that themethod of FIG. 5B may be used with other systems and/or components. FIG.5B continues to provide additional detail with respect to block 404 ofthe method 400 of FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the method 500 may proceed to block 516, whereinthe method 500 may include determining if the portable device(s) 126 isstill located within the at least one local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may send acommand signal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to reinitiatetransmission of one or more high power LF polling signals by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the command signal(s), thecommunication control unit 114 may utilize the transceiver(s) 118 a-118h that are in close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be locatedto transmit the one or more high power LF polling signals. The one ormore high power LF polling signals may reach the entirety of respectivelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s)126 is determined to be located.

If the portable device(s) 126 is still located within the respectivelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, upon receiving the one or morehigh power LF polling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portabledevice(s) 126 may send a LF polling response signal to thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the LF polling responsesignal by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are in close proximity tothe local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portabledevice(s) 126 is determined to be located, data from the received LFpolling response signal may be communicated to the polling signal module202 by the communication control unit 114. The polling signal module 202may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is still located within atleast one local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which it wasdetermined to be located (as discussed with reference to block 508)based on the receipt of the data from the received LF polling responsesignal. Conversely, the portable device(s) 126 is no longer locatedwithin the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, thepolling signal module 202 will not receive the data from the received LFpolling response signal and may therefore determine that the portabledevice(s) 126 is no longer located within the local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f. In the circumstance in which the portable device(s) 126 isno longer located within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 d, the method 500 may revert to block 502, wherein the method 500may include transmitting a low power LF polling signal(s) to theportable device(s) 126.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is still locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f (at block516), the method 500 may proceed to optional block 518, wherein themethod 500 may optionally include unlocking respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e based on the location of the portable device(s) 126. In anexemplary embodiment, upon determining the portable device(s) 126 isstill located within at least one of the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may send a correspondingsignal(s) to the door actuation module 204 that may indicate the localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 isdetermined to be located. In one or more embodiments, the correspondingsignal(s) may be sent to the door actuation module 204 immediately priorto sending signal(s) to supply power to the one or more motors 106 a-106e to open one or more of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the door actuationmodule 204 may determine the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is locatedin close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located. The dooractuation module 204 may send a command signal(s) to the power controlunit 112 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the motor(s) 106a-106 e associated with the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is locatedin close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f tounlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e.

In one or more embodiments, when the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin one of the respective local area polling zones 132 a-132 f thedoor actuation module 204 may send the command signal(s) to the powercontrol unit 112 to supply the predetermined amount of power to the oneor more motors 106 a-106 d. In particular, the command signal(s) may besent to the one or more motors 106 a-106 d associated with the one ormore respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 d that are located at the frontportion 128 a and/or the middle portion 128 b of the vehicle 102 tounlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 d of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 d. When the portable device(s) 126 is located within the pollingzone 132 e, the door actuation module 204 may send the command signal(s)to the power control unit 112 to supply the predetermined amount ofpower to the motor 106 e to unlock the lock 122 e of the tailgate door104 e.

In an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto be located within the local area polling zone 132 a, the dooractuation module 204 may send the command signal(s) to unlock the lock122 a of the left side front door 104 a. Alternatively, if the portabledevice(s) 126 is determined to be located within the local area pollingzone 132 e, the door actuation module 204 may send the command signal(s)to directly open the tailgate door 104 e as long as the portabledevice(s) 126 is not determined to be located within the door area zone134 e.

In an additional embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the dooractuation module 204 may determine the portion of the vehicle 102 thatis in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located. The dooractuation module 204 may send a command signal(s) to the power controlunit 112 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the motor(s) 106a-106 e associated with the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that isdetermined to be located at the portion of the vehicle 102 that is inclosest proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f tounlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e.

In an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto be located within the local area polling zone 132 a, the dooractuation module 204 may send the command signal(s) to unlock the lock122 a of the left side front door 104 a and the lock 122 b of the leftside rear door 104 b as the respective door locks 122 a, 122 b andvehicle doors 104 a, 104 b are located at a left portion of the vehicle102. Similarly, if the portable device(s) 126 is determined to belocated within the local area polling zone 132 f, the door actuationmodule 204 may send the command signal(s) to unlock the lock 122 a ofthe left side front door 104 a and the lock 122 c of the right sidefront door 104 c as they are located at the front portion 128 a of thevehicle 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 5B, the method 500 may proceed to block520, wherein the method 500 may include analyzing a second LF pollingresponse signal from the portable device(s) 126 and determining asecondary signal strength value and/or a secondary TOF value. Asdiscussed above (with respect to block 508), upon receipt of the LFpolling response signal by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are inclose proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in whichthe portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located, data from thereceived LF polling response signal may be communicated to the pollingsignal module 202 by the communication control unit 114. Upon receivingthe data pertaining to the LF polling response signal, the pollingsignal module 202 may identify the LF polling response signal as asecondary LF polling response signal.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may analyze thesecondary LF polling response signal and may determine the signalstrength of the secondary LF polling response signal. Upon determiningthe signal strength of the secondary LF polling response signal, thepolling signal module 202 may determine a secondary signal strengthvalue that is indicative of the signal strength of the secondary LFpolling response signal.

In another embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may additionally oralternatively analyze the secondary LF polling response signal and maydetermine the TOF value of the secondary LF polling response signal.Upon determining the TOF value of the secondary LF polling responsesignal, the polling signal module 202 may determine a secondary TOFvalue that is indicative of the TOF value of the secondary LF pollingresponse signal.

The method 500 may proceed to block 522, wherein the method 500 mayinclude determining if a difference between the secondary signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value and/or if adifference between the secondary TOF value and the primary TOF value isbelow a predetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the pollingsignal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve theprimary signal strength value which was previously stored on the storageunit 116 by the polling signal module 202 (as discussed at block 514).The polling signal module 202 may compute a difference between thesecondary signal strength value and the primary signal strength valueand output a primary/secondary signal strength difference value. It isto be appreciated that in circumstances in which the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is located withinmore than one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g.,portable device 126 is located within and between the local area pollingzone 132 a and the local area polling zone 132 b), the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the primarysignal strength values associated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h thatare in closest proximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f(e.g., the transceiver 118 a in closest proximity to the local areapolling zone 132 a, and the transceiver 118 b in closest proximity tothe local area polling zone 132 b). The polling signal module 202 maycompute a respective difference value between the second signal strengthvalues and the primary signal strength values for each of the respectivetransceivers 118 a-118 h.

Upon computing the signal strength difference value of the secondary andthe primary signal strength values, the polling signal module 202 mayaccess the storage unit 116 to retrieve the one or more signal strengthdeviation threshold values that are associated with the transceiver(s)118 a-118 h that are near to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 ein which the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located. Asdiscussed above, the one or more signal strength deviation thresholdvalues may provide a maximum deviation of signal strength between two ormore LF polling response signals to determine if the portable device(s)126 are stationary or moving within the one or more local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f. It is to be appreciated that in circumstances inwhich the polling signal module 202 determines that the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within more than one of the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may access the storageunit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with thetransceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one embodiment, upon retrieving the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may compare theprimary/secondary signal strength difference value(s) to the signalstrength deviation threshold value(s). If the polling signal module 202determines that the primary/secondary signal strength differencevalue(s) is below the signal strength deviation threshold value(s), thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the primary/secondarysignal strength difference value(s) is within a predetermined stationaryrange and that the portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary. Thepredetermined stationary range may include a range of difference valuesthat may indicate an estimation that the portable device(s) 126 areremaining in a stationary position within the respective local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the secondary signal strength value and theprimary signal strength value and may output the primary/secondarysignal strength difference value of 40 h. The polling signal module 202may compare the primary/secondary signal strength difference value of 40h against the signal strength deviation threshold value of 100 h and maydetermine that the portable device(s) 126 is within the predeterminedstationary range (−100 h to 100 h) and that the portable device(s) 126is remaining stationary.

In an additional embodiment, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally or alternatively access the storage unit 116 to retrievethe primary TOF value which was previously stored on the storage unit116 by the polling signal module 202 (as discussed at block 514). Thepolling signal module 202 may compute a difference between the secondaryTOF value and the primary TOF value and output a primary/secondary TOFdifference value (e.g., time difference value). It is to be appreciatedthat in circumstances in which the polling signal module 202 determinesthat the portable device(s) 126 is located within more than one of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g., portable device 126 islocated within and between the local area polling zone 132 a and thelocal area polling zone 132 b), the polling signal module 202 may accessthe storage unit 116 to retrieve the primary TOF values associated withthe transceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g., the transceiver 118 a in closestproximity to the local area polling zone 132 a, and the transceiver 118b in closest proximity to the local area polling zone 132 b). Thepolling signal module 202 may compute a respective difference valuebetween the secondary TOF values and the primary TOF values for each ofthe respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In one configuration, upon computing the primary/secondary TOFdifference value, the polling signal module 202 may access the storageunit 116 to retrieve the one or more TOF deviation threshold values thatare associated with the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to thelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s)126 is determined to be located. As discussed above, the one or more TOFdeviation threshold values may provide a maximum deviation of a time offlight between two or more LF polling response signals to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 are stationary or moving within the one ormore local area polling zones 132 a-132 f. It is to be appreciated thatin circumstances in which the polling signal module 202 determines thatthe portable device(s) 126 is located within more than one of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may accessthe storage unit 116 to retrieve the TOF threshold values associatedwith the transceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one embodiment, upon retrieving the TOF deviation threshold value(s),the polling signal module 202 may compare the primary/secondary TOFdifference value(s) to the TOF threshold value(s). If the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the primary/secondary TOF difference value(s)is below the TOF deviation threshold value(s), the polling signal module202 may determine that the primary/secondary TOF difference value(s) iswithin a predetermined stationary range and that the portable device(s)126 is remaining stationary. The predetermined stationary range mayinclude a range of difference values that may indicate an estimationthat the portable device(s) 126 are remaining in a stationary positionwithin the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the secondary TOF value and the primary TOF valueand may output the primary/secondary TOF difference value of 600 ms. Thepolling signal module 202 may compare the primary/secondary TOFdifference value of 600 ms against the TOF deviation threshold value of850 ms and may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is within thepredetermined stationary range (0 ms to 850 ms) and that the portabledevice(s) 126 is remaining stationary.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may operablycommunicate with a plurality of vehicle systems 208 to provide one ormore notifications to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s)126. The notifications may be provided to inform the individual that ifthe portable device(s) 126 remains in the stationary positon for thepredetermined period of time and is not moved to the door area zones 134a-134 e, the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may be opened or closed afterthe expiration of the predetermined period of time. In one or moreembodiments, the polling signal module 202 may communicate with thewindow notification system 210, the lighting system 212, theinfotainment system 214, and/or the BCM to provide the notificationsthat may include a countdown notification that may present a countdowntimer that counts down the remaining amount of time before theexpiration of the predetermined amount of time to automatically open therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. The countdown timer may actuatea countdown sequence that may include a total time that isrepresentative of the amount of time that is deemed to be appropriatefor the portable device(s) 126 to be remaining stationary within the oneor more of the local zones 132 a-132 f in order for the hand free doorASIC 108 to safely actuate powered opening of one or more vehicle doors104 a-104 e determined to be located in close proximity to the portabledevice(s) 126.

If it is determined that the difference between the secondary signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value and/or thedifference between the secondary TOF value and the primary TOF value isnot below the predetermined threshold (at block 522), the method 500 mayproceed to block 524, wherein the method 500 may include estimating thatthe portable device(s) 126 is not stationary within the at least onelocal area polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one embodiment, if the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the primary/secondary signal strengthdifference value is above the signal strength deviation thresholdvalue(s) and/or that the primary/secondary TOF difference value is abovethe TOF deviation threshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 maydetermine that the respective value(s) is not within the predeterminedstationary range. Therefore, the polling signal module 202 may determinethat the portable device(s) 126 is not remaining stationary. The method500 may then revert back to block 502, wherein the method 500 may onceagain include transmitting a low power LF polling signal(s) to theportable device(s) 126, as discussed in detail above. In one embodiment,the polling signal module 202 may operably communicate with a pluralityof vehicle systems 208 to provide a notification to the individual(s)that the portable device(s) 126 have been determined not to haveremained stationary for the predetermined amount of time required toautomatically open the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

With continued reference to FIG. 5B, if it is determined that thedifference between the secondary signal strength value and the primarysignal strength value is below the predetermined threshold and/or thedifference between the secondary TOF value and the primary TOF value isbelow the predetermined threshold (at block 522), the method 500 mayproceed to block 526, wherein the method 500 may include determining ifa predetermined period of time has expired. As discussed above, thepredetermined period of time utilized by the polling signal module 202may be an amount of time that is deemed to be appropriate for theportable device(s) 126 to be remaining stationary within the one or moreof the local zones 132 a-132 f in order for the hand free door ASIC 108to safely actuate powered opening of one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104e determined to be located in closest proximity to the portabledevice(s) 126. As discussed above, the polling signal module 202 mayexecute the timer that is utilized to determine if the predeterminedperiod of time has expired to determine if the portable device(s) 126remains stationary for the predetermined period of time.

As discussed, the method 500 provides additional detail with respect tothe blocks 402-406 of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Accordingly, blocks510-526 discussed above provide additional details as to determiningthat the portable device 126 is stationary for the predetermined periodof time within the at least one local area zone of the vehicle 102, asdetermined at block 404 of the method 400. Referring to method 400 ofFIG. 4, upon determining that the portable device 126 is stationary forthe predetermined period of time within the at least one local areapolling zone 132 a-132 f of the vehicle 102 (at block 404), the method400 may proceed to block 406, wherein the method 400 may includesupplying an amount of power to the motor 106 a-106 e associated withthe at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e to open or close the at leastone vehicle door 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, upon determining that the position of theportable device(s) 126 is stationary for the predetermined period oftime (at block 404), the polling signal module 202 may communicate withthe door actuation module 204 to determine if the vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e that is located in close proximity to the location of theportable device(s) 126 is closed. If the polling signal module 202determines that the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is closed,the polling signal module 202 may send an actuation command to the dooractuation module 204 to actuate powered opening of the vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e that is located in close proximity to the location of theportable device(s) 126. In some embodiments, the polling signal module202 may only send the actuation command to the door actuation module 204upon determining that the location of the portable device(s) 126 is notwithin one of the door area zones 134 a-134 e that may include the spaceoccupied by the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e as it is beingopened to ensure that opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e may not be physically obstructed by individual(s) that may becarrying the portable device(s) 126.

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the actuation command from thepolling signal module 202, the door actuation module 204 may send one ormore command signals to the power control unit 112 of the vehicle 102 toprovide a first requisite amount of power to the respective motor(s) 106a-106 e to start opening the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is locatedin close proximity to the location of the portable device(s) 126, basedon the utilization of the signal strength thresholds and/or the TOFthreshold values, as discussed above.

In some embodiments, as the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is inthe process of being opened by the respective motor(s) 106 a-106 e, themotor(s) 106 a-106 e may provide a level of opening of the respectivevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e (e.g., an angle at which the tailgate door104 e is currently opened, a percentage of opening of the tailgate door104 e) to the door actuation module 204. As discussed below, in someembodiments, the door actuation module 204 may provide data signals thatinclude the level of opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e to the sensor control module 206.

In an illustrative example, once it is determined that the portabledevice(s) 126 is remaining stationary (e.g., the individual(s) carryingthe portable device(s) 126 is standing still possibly waiting for thetailgate door 104 e to be opened) for the predetermined period of timeand that the portable device(s) 126 is not located within the door areazone 134 e, the motor 106 e is provided the first requisite amount ofpower to start opening the tailgate door 104 e so that the tailgate door104 e that is configured as a lift gate door (similar to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 7B) starts to lift into an open position.

In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202 determines that theposition of the portable device(s) 126 is stationary for thepredetermined period of time (at block 404), the polling signal module202 may communicate with the door actuation module 204 to determine ifthe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is located in close proximity tothe location of the portable device(s) 126 is open. If the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e is open, the polling signal module 202 may send one or morerespective signals to the door actuation module 204 to actuate poweredclosing of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. More specifically, thepolling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s) to the dooractuation module 204 to actuate the powered closing of the respectivevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In some embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may only send theactuation command to the door actuation module 204 upon determining thatthe location of the portable device(s) 126 is not within the respectivedoor area zone(s) 134 a-134 e that includes the space occupied by therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e as it is being closed to ensurethat closing of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may not bephysically obstructed by the individual(s) that may be carrying theportable device(s) 126. In an exemplary embodiment, upon receiving thecommand signal(s) from the polling signal module 202, the door actuationmodule 204 may send one or more command signals to the power controlunit 112 to provide a second requisite amount of power to the motor(s)106 a-106 e to start powered closing of the respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e.

In an illustrative example, once it is determined that the portabledevice(s) 126 is stationary (e.g., the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 is standing still possibly waiting for thetailgate door 104 e to be opened) for the predetermined period of timeand that the portable device(s) 126 is not located within the door areazone 134 e that includes the space occupied by the tailgate door 104 ewhen it may be closed, the motor 106 e is provided the second requisiteamount of power to start closing the tailgate door 104 e so that thetailgate door 104 e that is configured as a lift gate door (similar tothe configuration shown in FIG. 6B) starts to drop into a closedposition.

FIG. 5C is a process flow diagram of a third part of the method 500 forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle door104 a-104 e according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 5C will be described with reference to the componentsof FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that the method ofFIG. 5C may be used with other systems and/or components. If it isdetermined that the predetermined period of time has not expired (atblock 526 of FIG. 5B), the method 500 may proceed to block 528, whereinthe method 500 may include storing the secondary signal strength valueand/or the secondary TOF value on the storage unit 116. This scenariomay occur when the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be remainingstationary (at block 522) but the predetermined period of time has notyet expired in order to actuate powered opening of the respectivevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e (as determine at block 526). In an exemplaryembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may access the storage unit116 and store the secondary signal strength value and/or the secondaryTOF value (previously determined, as discussed with respect to block520) on the storage unit 116. In some embodiments, the secondary signalstrength value and/or the secondary TOF value may be accessible to thepolling signal module 202 until the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto no longer be located within the respective local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f or the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is opened.

The method 500 may proceed to block 530, wherein the method 500 mayinclude determining if the portable device(s) 126 is still locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f. In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s)to the communication control unit 114 to reinitiate transmission of oneor more high power LF polling signals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h(as discussed in detail above with respect to block 516). If theportable device(s) 126 is still located within the respective local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, upon receiving the one or more high powerLF polling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126may send a LF polling response signal to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h.

Upon receipt of the LF polling response signal by the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h that are near to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located, data fromthe received LF polling response signal may be communicated to thepolling signal module 202 by the communication control unit 114. Thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126is still located within at least one local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 e in which it was previously determined to be located (asdiscussed at block 508) based on the receipt of the data from thereceived LF polling response signal. Conversely, if the portabledevice(s) 126 is no longer located within the respective local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 will notreceive the data from the received LF polling response signal and maytherefore determine that the portable device(s) 126 is no longer locatedwithin the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is no longer locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone (at block 530), themethod 500 may proceed to optional block 532, wherein the method 500 mayinclude locking the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e based on theprevious location of the portable device(s) 126 within the at least onelocal area polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one or more embodiments, upondetermining that the portable device(s) 126 is no longer located withinthe local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f as previously determined tobe located (as discussed with respect to block 508), the polling signalmodule 202 may send a signal(s) to the door actuation module 204 to lockthe respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that was previously unlocked(as discussed with respect to optional block 518).

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the door actuationmodule 204 may determine the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that waspreviously unlocked that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 wasdetermined to be located (as discussed with respect to block 508). Thedoor actuation module 204 may send a signal(s) to the power control unit112 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the motor(s) 106 a-106e associated with the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e to lock the lock(s)122 a-122 e of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is no longerdetermined to be located within the local area polling zone 132 a, aswas previously determined to be located, the door actuation module 204may send the command signal(s) to lock the lock 122 a of the left sidefront door 104 a. The method 500 may then revert back to block 524(shown in FIG. 5B), wherein the method 500 may include estimating thatthe portable device(s) 126 is not stationary for a predetermined periodof time.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is still locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone (at block 530), themethod 500 may proceed to block 534, wherein the method 500 may includeanalyzing a third LF polling response signal from the portable device(s)126 and determining a third signal strength value and/or a third TOFvalue. As discussed above, upon receipt of the LF polling responsesignal by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 isdetermined to be located, data from the received LF polling responsesignal may be communicated to the polling signal module 202 by thecommunication control unit 114. Upon receiving the data pertaining tothe LF polling response signal, the polling signal module 202 mayidentify the LF polling response signal as a third LF polling responsesignal. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may analyze thethird LF polling response signal and may determine the signal strengthof the third LF polling response signal. Upon determining the signalstrength of the third LF polling response signal, the polling signalmodule 202 may determine a third signal strength value that isindicative of the signal strength of the third LF polling responsesignal. In an additional embodiment, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally or alternatively analyze the third LF polling responsesignal and may determine the TOF value of the third LF polling responsesignal. Upon determining the TOF value of the third LF polling responsesignal, the polling signal module 202 may determine a third TOF valuethat is indicative of the time of flight of the third LF pollingresponse signal.

With continued reference to the method 500, at block 536, the method 500may include determining if a difference between the third signalstrength and the primary signal strength value and/or a differencebetween the third TOF value and the primary TOF value is below thepredetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the primarysignal strength value which was previously stored on the storage unit116 by the polling signal module 202 (as discussed at block 514). Thepolling signal module 202 may compute a difference between the thirdsignal strength value and the primary signal strength value and output aprimary/third signal strength difference value.

It is to be appreciated that in circumstances in which the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin more than one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g.,portable device 126 is located within and between the local area pollingzone 132 a and the local area polling zone 132 b) the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the primarysignal strength values associated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h thatare in close proximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f(e.g., the transceiver 118 a is in close proximity to the local areapolling zone 132 a, and the transceiver 118 b is in close proximity tothe local area polling zone 132 b) and may compute a difference betweenthe third signal strength values and the primary signal strength valuesfor each of the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In one embodiment, upon computing the signal strength differencevalue(s) of the third and primary signal strength values, the pollingsignal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the one ormore signal strength deviation threshold values that are associated withthe transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are in close proximity to the localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 isdetermined to be located. As discussed above, in circumstances in whichthe polling signal module 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126is located within more than one of the local area polling zones 132a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may access the storage unit 116to retrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with thetransceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one configuration, upon retrieving the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may compare theprimary/third signal strength difference value(s) to the signal strengthdeviation threshold value(s). If the polling signal module 202determines that the primary/third signal strength difference value(s) isbelow the signal strength deviation threshold value(s), the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the primary/third signal strengthdifference value(s) is within a predetermined stationary range.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the third signal strength value and the primarysignal strength value and may output the primary/third signal strengthdifference value of 40 h. The polling signal module 202 may compare theprimary/third signal strength difference value of 40 h against thesignal strength deviation threshold value of 100 h and may determinethat the portable device(s) 126 is within the predetermined stationaryrange (−100 h to 100 h).

In an additional embodiment, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally or alternatively access the storage unit 116 to retrievethe primary TOF value which was previously stored on the storage unit116 by the polling signal module 202 (as discussed at block 514). Thepolling signal module 202 may compute a difference between the third TOFvalue and the primary TOF value and output a primary/third TOFdifference value.

It is to be appreciated that in circumstances in which the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin more than one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g.,portable device 126 is located within and between the local area pollingzone 132 a and the local area polling zone 132 b) the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the primary TOFvalues associated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closeproximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g., thetransceiver 118 a is in close proximity to the local area polling zone132 a, and the transceiver 118 b is in close proximity to the local areapolling zone 132 b) and may compute a difference between the third TOFvalues and the primary TOF values for each of the respectivetransceivers 118 a-118 h.

In one embodiment, upon computing the TOF difference value(s) of thethird and primary TOF values, the polling signal module 202 may accessthe storage unit 116 to retrieve the one or more TOF deviation thresholdvalues that are associated with the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that arein close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located. Asdiscussed above, in circumstances in which the polling signal module 202determines that the portable device(s) 126 is located within more thanone of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f, the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the TOF thresholdvalues associated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closestproximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f. In oneembodiment, upon retrieving the TOF deviation threshold value(s), thepolling signal module 202 may compare the primary/third TOF differencevalue(s) to the TOF deviation threshold value(s). If the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the primary/third TOF difference value(s) isbelow the signal strength deviation threshold value(s), the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the primary/third TOF differencevalue(s) is within a predetermined stationary range.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the third TOF value and the primary TOF value andmay output the primary/third TOF difference value of 600 ms. The pollingsignal module 202 may compare the primary/third TOF difference value of600 ms against the TOF deviation threshold value of 850 ms and maydetermine that the portable device(s) 126 is within the predeterminedstationary range (0 ms to 850 ms) and that the portable device(s) 126 isremaining stationary.

If it is determined that the difference between the third signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value and/or or thedifference between the third TOF value and the primary TOF value is notbelow the respective predetermined threshold (at block 536), the method500 may revert to block 524, wherein the method 500 may includeestimating that the portable device(s) 126 is not stationary within theat least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one embodiment, ifthe polling signal module 202 determines that the primary/third signalstrength difference value is above the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may determine that theprimary/third signal strength difference value is not within thepredetermined stationary range. Additionally or alternatively, if thepolling signal module 202 determines that the primary/third TOFdifference value is above the TOF deviation threshold value(s), thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the primary/third TOFdifference value is not within the predetermined stationary range. Inone or both cases, the polling signal module 202 may determine that theportable device(s) 126 is not remaining stationary.

If it is determined that the difference between the third signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value and/or thedifference between the third TOF value and the primary TOF value isbelow the respective predetermined threshold (at block 536), the method500 may proceed to block 538, wherein the method 500 may includedetermining if a difference between the third signal strength value andthe secondary signal strength value and/or a difference between thethird TOF value and the secondary TOF value is below the predeterminedthreshold.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may access thestorage unit 116 to retrieve the secondary signal strength value whichwas previously stored on the storage unit 116 by the polling signalmodule 202 (as discussed at block 528). The polling signal module 202may compute a difference between the third signal strength value and thesecondary signal strength value and output a secondary/third signalstrength difference value. In another embodiment, the polling signalmodule 202 may additionally or alternatively access the storage unit 116to retrieve the secondary TOF value which was previously stored on thestorage unit 116 by the polling signal module 202 (as discussed at block528). The polling signal module 202 may compute a difference between thethird TOF value and the secondary TOF value and output a secondary/thirdTOF difference value.

It is to be appreciated that in circumstances in which the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin more than one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g.,portable device 126 is located within and between the local area pollingzone 132 a and the local area polling zone 132 b) the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the secondarysignal strength values and/or the secondary TOF values associated withthe transceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g., the transceiver 118 a in closeproximity to the local area polling zone 132 a, and the transceiver 118b in close proximity to the local area polling zone 132 b) and maycompute a difference between the third signal strength values and thesecondary signal strength values and/or the third TOF values and thesecondary TOF values for each of the respective transceivers 118 a-118h.

In an exemplary embodiment, upon computing the signal strengthdifference value of the third and secondary signal strength values, thepolling signal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrievethe one or more signal strength deviation threshold values that areassociated with the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to thelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s)126 is determined to be located. As discussed above, in circumstances inwhich the polling signal module 202 determines that the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within more than one of the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may access the storageunit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with thetransceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one embodiment, upon retrieving the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may compare thesecondary/third signal strength difference value(s) to the signalstrength deviation threshold value(s). If the polling signal module 202determines that the secondary/third difference value(s) is below thesignal strength deviation threshold value(s), the polling signal module202 may determine that the secondary/third signal strength differencevalue(s) is within a predetermined stationary range. Additionally, sincethe polling signal module 202 previously determined that theprimary/third signal strength difference value is within thepredetermined stationary range (as discussed at block 536), the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 areremaining in the stationary position within the respective local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the third signal strength value and the secondarysignal strength value and may output the secondary/third signal strengthdifference value of −40 h. The polling signal module 202 may compare thesecondary/third signal strength difference value of −40 h against thesignal strength deviation threshold value of 100 h and may determinethat the portable device(s) 126 is within the predetermined stationaryrange (−100 h to 100 h).

In an additional embodiment, additionally or alternatively, uponcomputing the TOF difference value of the third and secondary TOFvalues, the polling signal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 toretrieve the one or more TOF deviation threshold values that areassociated with the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to thelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s)126 is determined to be located. As discussed above, in circumstances inwhich the polling signal module 202 determines that the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within more than one of the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may access the storageunit 116 to retrieve the TOF threshold values associated with thetransceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one configuration, upon retrieving the TOF deviation thresholdvalue(s), the polling signal module 202 may compare the secondary/thirdTOF difference value(s) to the TOF deviation threshold value(s). If thepolling signal module 202 determines that the secondary/third TOFdifference value(s) is below the TOF deviation threshold value(s), thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the secondary/third TOFdifference value(s) is within a predetermined stationary range.Additionally, since the polling signal module 202 previously determinedthat the primary/third TOF difference value is within the predeterminedstationary range (as discussed at block 536), the polling signal module202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 are remaining in thestationary position within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the third TOF value and the secondary TOF valueand may output the secondary/third TOF difference value of 600 ms. Thepolling signal module 202 may compare the secondary/third differencevalue of 600 ms against the TOF deviation threshold value of 850 ms andmay determine that the portable device(s) 126 is within thepredetermined stationary range (0 ms to 850 ms) and that the portabledevice(s) 126 is remaining stationary.

If it is determined that the difference between the third signalstrength value and the secondary signal strength value and/or thedifference between the third TOF value and the primary TOF value is notbelow the respective predetermined threshold (at block 538), the method500 may revert to block 524, wherein the method 500 may includeestimating that the portable device(s) 126 is not stationary within theat least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one embodiment, ifthe polling signal module 202 determines that the secondary/third signalstrength difference value is above the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may determine that thesecondary/third signal strength difference value is not within thepredetermined stationary range. In another embodiment, if the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the secondary/third TOF differencevalue is above the TOF deviation threshold value(s), the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the secondary/third TOF difference valueis not within the predetermined stationary range. In one or both cases,the polling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s)126 is not remaining stationary. The method 500 may then revert back toback to block 502, wherein the method 500 may once again includetransmitting a low power LF polling signal(s) to the portable device(s)126, as discussed in detail above.

It is contemplated that the method 500 may continue by determining ifthe predetermined period of time has expired for the polling signalmodule 202 to continue to analyze one or more additional subsequent LFpolling response signals (e.g., fourth, fifth, sixth, etc. number ofsignals) from the portable device(s) 126 in a similar manner asdiscussed above until the expiration of the predetermined period of timeis determined. In such a scenario, the polling signal module 202 mayoperably communicate with a plurality of vehicle systems 208 to provideone or more notifications to the individual(s) holding the portabledevice(s) 126 to inform the individual(s) that if the portable device(s)126 is in the stationary positon for the predetermined period of timeand is not moved to enter the door area zones 134 a-134 e, the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e may be opened or closed after the expiration of thepredetermined period of time. It is also contemplated that the method500 may end if the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be remainingstationary until the expiration of the predetermined period of time atwhich point the hand free door ASIC 108 may execute supplying the firstamount of power to the motor 106 a-106 e associated with the at leastone vehicle door 104 a-104 e to open the at least one vehicle door 104a-104 e (as discussed above with respect to block 406 of the method400).

It is to be appreciated that the process of method 500 may be utilizedto open or close the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. With respect to theclosing of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the polling signal module202 of the hand free door ASIC 108 may analyze a number of LF pollingsignals against the signal strength thresholds and/or a number of LFpolling signals against the TOF threshold values to determine that theportable device(s) 126 is located outside of the one or more door areazones 134 a-134 e and the portable device(s) 126 remains stationary fora second predetermined period of time to actuate closing of the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e.

In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202 determines thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is open and that the portable device(s) 126is remaining stationary for the second predetermined period of timewithin the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f and outside of thedoor area zone(s) 134 a-134 e, the polling signal module 202 may sendone or more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 toactuate powered closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e. The polling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s) to thedoor actuation module 204 to actuate the powered closing of therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In particular, the hand freedoor ASIC 108 may execute supplying the second amount of power to themotor 106 a-106 e associated with the at least one vehicle door 104a-104 e to close the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e (as discussedabove with respect to block 406 of the method 400).

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of a method 600 for providing handsfree powered closing of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e withLF polling according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method 600 includes an additional embodiment utilized bythe hand free door ASIC 108 to actuate powered closing of the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e. FIG. 6 will be described with reference to thecomponents of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that themethod of FIG. 6 may be used with other systems and/or components.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method 600 may start at block 602,wherein the method 600 may include determining if a door input button(s)124 a-124 e has been inputted by an individual(s) to indicate an intentto close a respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In one embodiment,upon input of one or more of the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e, asignal(s) may be sent from the respective door input button(s) 124 a-124e to the door actuation module 204. The door actuation module 204 maycommunicate a respective signal(s) to the polling signal module 202.Based on the receipt of the signal(s), the polling signal module 202 maydetermine that the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e have been inputtedto indicate the intent to close the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e that were previously opened.

If it is determined that the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e isinputted by the individual(s) to indicate the intent to close therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e (at block 602), the method 600may proceed to block 604, wherein the method 600 may includetransmitting a high power LF polling signal(s) to the portable device(s)126. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may send a commandsignal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to initiate transmissionof one or more high power LF polling signals by the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h. Upon receipt of the command signal(s), the communicationcontrol unit 114 may utilize the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmitthe one or more high power LF polling signals that reaches the entiretyof each of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f. The communicationcontrol unit 114 may be configured to control the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h to transmit a predetermined number of high power LF pollingsignals within a predetermined time period. In one embodiment, thecommunication control unit 114 may be configured to control thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit the polling signals at apredetermined frequency (e.g., once per every 100 ms) to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 is located within the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f.

The method 600 may proceed to block 606, wherein the method 600 mayinclude determining if the portable device(s) 126 is located within theat least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f after a predeterminedperiod of time. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 maycontinually transmit the high power LF polling signal(s) to the portabledevice(s) 126 for a second predetermined period of time. The secondpredetermined period of time may include a period of time that may besufficient for the portable device(s) 126 to be moved away from thevicinity of the vehicle 102 that may be indicative of an intent to walkaway from the vehicle 102 by the individual(s) carrying the portabledevice(s) 126. In other words, the predetermined period of time mayinclude a period of time that is sufficient to indicate that theportable device(s) 126 may not be subsequently moved towards the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e after being moved away from the vehicle 102.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may send acommand signal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to reinitiatetransmission of one or more high power LF polling signals by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the command signal(s), thecommunication control unit 114 may utilize the transceiver(s) 118 a-118h to transmit the one or more high power LF polling signals that mayreach the entirety of the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

If the portable device(s) 126 is located within the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f, upon receiving the one or more high power LFpolling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126 maysend a LF polling response signal to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h.Upon receipt of the high power LF polling response signal(s) by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are in close proximity to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 e, data from the received high power LFpolling response signal may be communicated to the polling signal module202 by the communication control unit 114. The polling signal module 202may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is located within at leastone local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which it was determined tobe located based on the receipt of the data from the received LF pollingresponse signal. Conversely, if the portable device(s) 126 is no longerlocated within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f,the polling signal module 202 will not receive the data from thereceived LF polling response signal. Consequently, the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is no longerlocated within the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f. Therefore,the polling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s)126 is being moved away from the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is not locatedwithin the local area polling zone after a predetermined period of time,the method 600 may proceed to block 608, wherein the method 600 mayinclude supplying a second amount of power to close at least one vehicledoor 104 a-104 e. In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202determines that the portable device(s) 126 is being moved away from thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the polling signal module 202 may send oneor more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 to actuatepowered closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. Morespecifically, the polling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s)to the door actuation module 204 to actuate the powered closing of therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In an exemplary embodiment, uponreceiving the command signal(s) from the polling signal module 202, thedoor actuation module 204 may send one or more command signals to thepower control unit 112 to provide a second requisite amount of power tothe motor(s) 106 a-106 e to start powered closing the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e. In one embodiment, upon the (full) closure of therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the door actuation module 204may send a signal(s) to the lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the vehicle 102 toactuate locking of the respective lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the closedvehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

The method 600 may proceed to block 610, wherein the method 600 maydetermine if the portable device(s) 126 reenters the respective localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f as the at least one vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e is closing. In one embodiment, as the respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e is in the process of being closed by the motor(s) 106 a-106e, the motor 106 e may provide a level of closing of the tailgate door104 e (e.g., an angle at which the tailgate door 104 e is currentlyclosed) to the door actuation module 204 and the polling signal module202. In one embodiment, upon evaluating the level of closing anddetermining that the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e has not yet closed, thepolling signal module 202 may utilize the signal strength thresholdsthat pertain to the one or more LF polling response signals received bythe transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to determine the location of the portabledevice(s) 126. More specifically, the polling signal module 202 mayutilize the local area signal strength threshold value(s) to determineif the portable device(s) 126 reenters the respective local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 was previouslylocated (e.g., near to the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that are beingclosed). In another embodiment, upon evaluating the level of closing anddetermining that the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e has not yet closed, thepolling signal module 202 may utilize the TOF threshold values thatpertain to the one or more LF polling response signals received by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to determine the location of the portabledevice(s) 126. More specifically, the polling signal module 202 mayutilize the local area TOF threshold value(s) to determine if theportable device(s) 126 reenters the respective local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 was previouslylocated (e.g., near to the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that are beingclosed).

If the polling signal module 202 determines that the portable device(s)126 is again located within the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f,the polling signal module 202 may send a corresponding signal(s) to thedoor actuation module 204 to indicate that the portable device(s) 126re-enters the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in whichit was previously located when the closing of the vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e was actuated (at block 608).

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 re-enters at leastone local area polling zone 132 a-132 f as the at least one vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e is closing (at block 610), the method 600 mayproceed to block 612, wherein the method 600 may include determining ifthe portable device(s) 126 is located within a predetermined distance ofa respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e associated with the at leastone vehicle door 104 a-104 e that is being closed. In one embodiment,upon determining that the portable device(s) 126 re-enters therespective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, the polling signalmodule 202 may further determine if the portable device(s) 126 is movedtowards and is located (e.g., crosses) at a predetermined distance ofthe respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e that is associated (e.g.,closest to) the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. The pollingsignal module 202 may establish the predetermined distance to indicateareas within each of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 e that maybe used to determine that the individual(s) carrying the portabledevice(s) 126 may be intending to return to the vehicle 102 and re-enteror reach into the vehicle 102 through the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e that is in the process of being closed.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may utilize the localarea signal strength threshold value(s) to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 is located at the predetermined distance of the respectivedoor area zone 134 a-134 e based on the signal strengths of the receivedLF polling response signals. In particular, the predetermined distanceof the respective door area zones 134 a-134 e may be identified bysignal strength values that are adjusted from the door area signalstrength threshold values in order for the polling signal module 202 todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 is located at the predetermineddistance. More specifically, upon receiving the LF polling responsesignal(s) from the portable device(s) 126, the polling signal module 202may evaluate the signal strength(s) of the received signal(s) and mayfurther compare the signal strength(s) to the door area signal strengththreshold values. If the polling signal module 202 determines that thesignal strength(s) are higher than the respective door area signalstrength threshold values, the polling signal module 202 may furtherdetermine if the signal strength(s) are equivalent to the signalstrength values that are adjusted from the door area signal strengththreshold values in order for the polling signal module 202 to determineif the portable device(s) 126 is located at the predetermined distance.

In another embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may additionally oralternatively utilize the local area TOF threshold value(s) to determineif the portable device(s) 126 is located at the predetermined distanceof the respective door area zone 134 a-134 e based on the TOF values ofthe received LF polling response signals. In particular, thepredetermined distance of the respective door area zones 134 a-134 e maybe identified by TOF values that are adjusted from the door area TOFthreshold values in order for the polling signal module 202 to determineif the portable device(s) 126 is located at the predetermined distance.More specifically, upon receiving the LF polling response signal(s) fromthe portable device(s) 126, the polling signal module 202 may evaluatethe TOF value(s) of the received signal(s) and may further compare theTOF value(s) to the door area TOF threshold values. If the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the TOF value(s) are higher than therespective door area TOF threshold values, the polling signal module 202may further determine if the TOF value(s) are equivalent to the TOFvalues that are adjusted from the door area TOF threshold values inorder for the polling signal module 202 to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 is located at the predetermined distance.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is located within apredetermined distance of a respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 eassociated with the at least one vehicle door 104 that is being closed(at block 612), the method 600 may proceed to block 614, wherein themethod 600 may include stopping closure of the at least one vehicle door104 a-104 e. In one embodiment, upon determining that the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within the predetermined distance of therespective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e, the polling signal module 202may send a command signal(s) to the door actuation module 204 to ceasethe powered closing of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In anexemplary embodiment, upon receiving the command signal(s) from thepolling signal module 202, the door actuation module 204 may send one ormore command signals to the power control unit 112 to stop providing thesecond requisite amount of power to the motor(s) 106 a-106 e to stop thepowered closing of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally send an actuation command to the door actuation module 204to actuate powered opening of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that islocated in close proximity to the location of the portable device(s)126. In some embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may only sendthe actuation command to the door actuation module 204 upon determiningthat the location of the portable device(s) 126 is not within one of thedoor area zones 134 a-134 e that may include the space occupied by therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e as it is being opened to ensurethat opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may not bephysically obstructed by individual(s).

As an illustrative example, the door actuation module 204 sends one ormore command signals to the power control unit 112 to provide a secondrequisite amount of power to the motor(s) 106 e to start closing thetailgate door 104 e (at block 608) upon determining that the portabledevice(s) 126 is not located within the local area polling zone 132 e inwhich it was previously located when the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 was previously placing objects within the withinthe rear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle 102. As the tailgatedoor 104 e is closing, the polling signal module 202 may determine thatthe portable device(s) 126 is moved to re-enter the local area pollingzone 132 e (at block 610) and may further determine that the portabledevice (s) 126 is located within the predetermined distance of the doorarea zone 134 e (at block 612) as the portable device(s) 126 is movedback towards the tailgate door 104 e as it is being closed.

These determinations may be utilized by the hand free door ASIC 108 tostop the closure of the tailgate door 104 e (at block 614) to ensurethat it does not fully close as the portable device(s) 126 is beingmoved back towards the tailgate door 104 e (e.g., as the individual(s)holding the portable device(s) 126 re-approaches the tailgate door 104e). Additionally, if the polling signal module 202 determines that theportable device(s) 126 has not been moved back into the door area zone134 e, the polling signal module 202 may actuate the powered re-openingof the tailgate door 104 e from a stopped semi-closed state. Thisfunctionality ensures that the tailgate door 104 e does not close andmay reopen to allow the individual(s) to place/remove object(s)within/from the rear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle 102.

FIG. 7A is a process flow diagram of a method 700 for providing handsfree powered closing of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e withmotion sensing according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 7A will be described with reference to the componentsof FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that the method 700of FIG. 7A may be used with other systems and/or components. It is to beappreciated that one or more aspects of the method 700 may be utilizedwithin the method 600 (of FIG. 6), discussed above to provide hands freepowered closing of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e with LFpolling and motion sensing.

The method 700 may start at block 702, wherein the method 700 mayinclude activating a motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sense the movementof an individual(s) and/or object(s) within a predetermined detectionrange of the motion sensor 120 e. In an exemplary embodiment, uponsending the one or more command signals to the power control unit 112 ofthe vehicle 102 to provide the first requisite amount of power to themotor(s) 106 a-106 e to start opening one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e (as discussed above with respect to block 406 of method400), the door actuation module 204 may send an indication signal(s) tothe sensor control module 206. The indication signal(s) may be sent toindicate to the sensor control module 206 that the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e is in the process of being opened. In oneembodiment, upon receiving the indication signal(s) from the dooractuation module 204, the sensor control module 206 may send theactivation signal(s) to the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to activate themotion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sense the movement of the individual(s)and/or the object(s) (placed by the individual(s)) within thepredetermined detection range of the motion sensor 120 e.

In another embodiment, upon receiving the aforementioned indicationsignal(s) from the door actuation module 204, the sensor control module206 may await an input of the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e that maybe inputted by the individual(s) to indicate that the individual(s)intends for the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e to be closedbefore sending the activation signal(s) to the motion sensor 120 e. Uponreceiving an input of the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e, a respectivesignal(s) may be sent by the door actuation module 204 to the sensorcontrol module 206 to indicate the individual's intent for therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e to be closed. Upon receipt of theinput signal(s), the sensor control module 206 may send the activationsignal(s) to the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to activate the motionsensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sense the movement of the individual(s) and/orthe object(s) within the predetermined detection range of vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e.

FIG. 7B is an illustration of a motion sensor utilizing a predetermineddetection range of the tailgate door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. For the purposes of simplicity,the predetermined detection range will now be described with respect tothe tailgate door 104 e and associated components. However, it is to beappreciated that this disclosure applies to any of the vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e and the corresponding components of and/or associated to theone or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the motion sensor 120 e may operate todetermine if the individual(s) (e.g., individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126) is within the predetermined detection range ofthe tailgate door 104 e. The predetermined detection range may be astatic or dynamic sensing range of the motion sensor 120 e that includesthe space depicted by the portion labeled as ‘S’ in FIG. 7B that isoccupied by the tailgate door 104 e as its being opened. The portion ‘S’may also include the space occupied by the tailgate door 104 e as it isbeing closed. As described below, the motion sensor 120 e may operate todetermine if the individual(s) and/or object(s) are moving within thepredetermined detection range and a pattern of movement of theindividual(s) and/or object(s) within the predetermined detection range.

In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined detection range of thetailgate door 104 e may be adjusted to include a modifiable amount ofspace that is located within the vicinity of the tailgate door 104 e. Asdiscussed above, as the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is in the process ofbeing opened by the motor(s) 106 a-106 e, the motor(s) 106 a-106 e mayprovide the level of opening of the tailgate door 104 e to the dooractuation module 204. In one embodiment, the door actuation module 204may provide data signal(s) that include the level of opening of thetailgate door 104 e to the sensor control module 206. Upon receiving thedata signal(s) that include the level of opening of the tailgate door104 e, the sensor control module 206 may calibrate the motion sensor 120e to adjust the predetermined detection range of the tailgate door 104 eto account for the changing space S occupied by the tailgate door 104 eas its being opened.

As depicted by rays labeled as R1-R8 within FIG. 7B, as the tailgatedoor 104 e is in the process of being opened by the motor 106 e, thesensor control module 206 may calibrate the motion sensor 120 e tomodify the predetermined detection range (R1-R8) in which the motion ofthe individual(s) and/or object(s) is detected. This functionalityallows the motion of the individual(s) and/or the object(s) to beproperly detected as the individual(s) may move and/or may move theobject(s) based on the change in the space S as the tailgate door 104 efully opens.

In an alternate embodiment, upon receiving the aforementioned datasignal(s) that include the level of opening of the tailgate door 104 e,the sensor control module 206 may only calibrate the motion sensor 120 eupon determining that the opening of the tailgate door 104 e has beenstopped while opening. For example, the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 may input the door open/close start/stop buttonof the input buttons 140 on the portable device(s) 126 to stop theopening of the tailgate door 104 e in order to place or pickup anadditional object from the vehicle 102. Upon determining the stopping ofthe opening of the tailgate door 104 e, the sensor control module 206may calibrate the motion sensor 120 e to adjust the predetermineddetection range based on the stopped open position of the tailgate door104 e (e.g., the position of the tailgate door as it came to a rest uponits opening being stopped).

With reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, upon activation of the motionsensor to sense the movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s)within the predetermined detection range of the motion sensor 120 e (atblock 702), at block 704, the method 700 may include determining ifmovement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) away from the spaceoccupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e occurs. In an exemplaryembodiment, upon activation of the motion sensor 120 e, the motionsensor 120 e may sense if the individual(s) and/or object(s) placed bythe individual(s) are moving away from the vehicle 102 and outside ofthe space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e (which may includethe door area zones 134 a-134 e that are utilized by the polling signalmodule 202).

In one embodiment, the motion sensor 120 e may be configured todetermine the pattern of motion based on sensing movements of theindividual(s) and/or object(s) as sensed within the predetermineddetection range of the motion sensor 120 e. If the motion sensor 120 edetermines that pattern of motion of the individual(s) and/or object(s)is moving away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e, the motion sensor 120 e may send a motion sensing signal(s) to thesensor control module 206 to provide indication to the sensor controlmodule 206 that the individual(s) and/or the object(s) are being movedoutside of the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. Forexample, the motion sensor 120 e may sense when the individual(s) moveaway from the tailgate door 104 e and outside of the space S and/or moveobject(s) outside from the space S, such that it is safe to possiblyclose the tailgate door 104 e without physically impacting theindividual(s) and/or the object(s).

In an illustrative example, once the tailgate door 104 e has been openedby the motor 106 e, the individual may approach the vehicle 102 andplace objects within the rear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle102. When the individual places the objects within the rear portion 128c of the vehicle 102, the individual may be standing within the space Sand/or may place some of the objects within the space S as they areloading them within the rear portion 128 c. Upon loading the objectswithin the rear portion 128 c, the individual may walk away from thespace S. The motion pattern of the individual walking away from thespace S as the individual is moving towards the outside of the detectionrange of the motion sensor 120 e may be sensed by the motion sensor 120e.

If it is determined that the movement of the individual(s) and/orobject(s) away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e does not occur (at block 704), the method 700 may revert back to block702 wherein activation of the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sensemovement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) within the predetermineddetection range of the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e occurs.

If it is determined that movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s)away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e occurs(at block 704), at block 706, the method 700 may include determining ifthere is any movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) within thespace occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for a predeterminedperiod of time. The predetermined period of time may be a period of timethat is sufficient to indicate that the individual(s) and/or object(s)may not subsequently move towards and within the space occupied by thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e after moving away from the space (asdetermined at block 704). With reference to the illustrative examplediscussed above, the predetermined period of time may be an amount oftime such as 12 seconds that may provide a buffer to ensure that aftermoving away and out of the space S, the individual may not move backtowards and into the space S to load more objects within the rearportion 128 c of the vehicle 102.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may utilize the signalstrength thresholds that pertain to the one or more LF polling responsesignals received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to determine thelocation of the portable device(s) 126. More specifically, the pollingsignal module 202 may utilize the local area signal strength thresholdvalue(s) to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is not locatedwithin the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f that it was previouslylocated in, when the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e was opened for thepredetermined period of time, as discussed above. In another embodiment,the polling signal module 202 may additionally or alternatively utilizethe TOF threshold values that pertain to the one or more LF pollingresponse signals received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to determinethe location of the portable device(s) 126. More specifically, thepolling signal module 202 may utilize the local area TOF thresholdvalue(s) to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is not locatedwithin the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f that it was previouslylocated in, when the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e was opened for thepredetermined period of time.

If the polling signal module 202 determines that the portable device(s)126 is not located within the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f,the polling signal module 202 may send a corresponding signal(s) to thesensor control module 206 to indicate that there is no movement detectedwithin the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for thepredetermined period of time and that it may be safe to close therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e of the vehicle 102.

In an alternate embodiment, the sensor control module 206 maycommunicate with the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e for a predeterminedperiod of time to ensure that there is no movement sensed by the motionsensor(s) 120 a-120 e that occurs within the space occupied by thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for the predetermined period of time. Morespecifically, the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e may sense if any motionoccurs within the predetermined detection range to determine if motionof an individual(s) and/or object(s) occur within the space occupied bythe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for the predetermined period of time. Ifthe motion sensor 120 e does not sense any motion within thepredetermined detection range for the predetermined period of time, themotion sensor 120 e may send a corresponding signal(s) to the sensorcontrol module 206 that indicates that there is no movement detectedwithin the predetermined period of time and that it may be safe to closethe respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

If it is determined that there is no movement of the individual(s)and/or object(s) within the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) forthe predetermined period of time (at block 706), the method 700 mayproceed to block 708, wherein the method 700 may include supplying asecond amount of power to close at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e.In an exemplary embodiment, upon receiving the corresponding signal(s)from the polling signal module 202 and/or the sensor control module 206,the door actuation module 204 may send one or more command signals tothe power control unit 112 to provide a second requisite amount of powerto the motor(s) 106 a-106 e to start closing the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e. With reference again to FIG. 7B, in an illustrativeexample, once it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is notlocated within the space S occupied by the tailgate door 104 e as itsbeing opened, the motor 106 e is provided the requisite amount of powerto start closing the tailgate door 104 e so that the tailgate door 104 ethat is configured as the lift gate door (similar to the configurationshown in FIG. 7B) starts to drop into a closed position.

The embodiments discussed herein may also be described and implementedin the context of non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring computer-executable instructions. Non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media includes computer storage media andcommunication media. For example, flash memory drives, digital versatilediscs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes.Non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, modules or other data. Non-transitorycomputer readable storage media excludes transitory and propagated datasignals.

It can be appreciated that various implementations of theabove-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives orvarieties thereof, can be desirably combined into many other differentsystems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen orunanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvementstherein can be subsequently made by those skilled in the art.

1. A computer-implemented method for providing hands free operation ofat least one vehicle door comprising: determining if a portable deviceis located within at least one local area polling zone of a vehicle,wherein the at least one local area polling zone includes apredetermined area around the vehicle which receives at least one highpower polling signal; determining if the portable device is stationaryfor a predetermined period of time within the at least one local areapolling zone of the vehicle, wherein determining if the portable deviceis stationary for the predetermined period of time includes computing atleast one time of flight difference value between a time of flightmeasurement value of at least one polling response signal received fromthe portable device and at least one subsequent polling response signalreceived from the portable device, wherein the at least one time offlight difference value is compared to at least one time of flightdeviation threshold value that is associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that is in proximity to the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle in which the portable device islocated; and supplying an amount of power to a motor associated with theat least one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle doorif it is determined that the portable device is stationary for thepredetermined period of time.
 2. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein determining if the portable device is located withinthe at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle includesdetermining and comparing the time of flight measurement value of the atleast one polling response signal to at least one local area time offlight threshold value that is specifically associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that receives the at least one pollingresponse signal with a lowest time of flight measurement value, whereinthe at least one local area threshold time of flight value includes atime of flight measurement value that is used to determine that theportable device is located within the at least one local area pollingzone.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein determiningif the portable device is located within the at least one local areapolling zone of the vehicle includes determining that the portabledevice is located within the at least one local area polling zone whenthe time of flight measurement value of the at least one pollingresponse signal is equal to or below the at least one local areathreshold value, wherein the portable device is determined to be locatedwithin a wide area polling zone of the vehicle when the time of flightmeasurement value of the at least one polling response signal is abovethe at least one local area threshold value.
 4. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 3, further including determining if the portable deviceis located within at least one door area zone of the vehicle, whereindetermining that the portable device is located within the at least onedoor area zone when the time of flight value of at least one pollingresponse signal is equal to or below at least one door area thresholdvalue, wherein the portable device is determined to be located withinthe at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle when the time offlight measurement value of the at least one polling response signal isabove the at least one door area threshold value and equal to or belowthe at least one local area threshold value.
 5. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein determining if the portable device isstationary for the predetermined period of time includes comparing theat least one time of flight difference value to the at least one time offlight deviation threshold that is associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that is in proximity to the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle in which the portable device islocated to determine if the at least one time of flight difference valueis within a predetermined stationary range.
 6. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 5, wherein determining if the portable device isstationary for the predetermined period of time includes determiningthat the portable device is not located within at least one door areazone, determining and storing at least one time of flight measurementvalue of the at least one polling response signal, determining if theportable device is still located within the at least one local areapolling zone, and determining a time of flight measurement value of theat least one subsequent polling response signal.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein determining if theportable device is stationary for the predetermined period of timeincludes executing a timer to determine if the predetermined period oftime has expired, wherein the portable device is determined to be withinthe predetermined stationary range and is determined to be stationaryfor the predetermined period of time based on determining that the atleast one time of flight difference value between the time of flightmeasurement value of the at least one polling response signal and the atleast one subsequent polling response signal is below the at least onetime of flight deviation threshold until the predetermined period oftime expires.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, whereindetermining if the portable device is stationary for the predeterminedperiod of time includes determining that the portable device is stilllocated within the at least one local area polling zone and determiningthat the predetermined period of time has not expired, wherein the atleast one high power polling signal is transmitted to the portabledevice and at least one additional subsequent polling response signal isreceived from the portable device.
 9. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 8, wherein determining if the portable device is stationary forthe predetermined period of time includes determining a time of flightmeasurement value of the at least one additional subsequent pollingresponse signal and computing at least one of: a time of flightdifference value between the time of flight measurement value of the atleast one additional subsequent response signal and the time of flightmeasurement value of the at least one polling response signal and a timeof flight difference value between the time of flight measurement valueof the at least one additional subsequent response signal and the timeof flight measurement value of the at least one subsequent pollingresponse signal until the predetermined period of time expires based oncontinually determining that the portable device is still located withinthe at least one local area polling zone.
 10. A system for providinghands free operation of at least one vehicle door comprising: a memorystoring instructions when executed by a processor cause the processorto: determine if a portable device is located within at least one localarea polling zone of a vehicle, wherein the at least one local areapolling zone includes a predetermined area around the vehicle whichreceives at least one high power polling signal; determine if theportable device is stationary for a predetermined period of time withinthe at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle, whereindetermining if the portable device is stationary for the predeterminedperiod of time includes computing at least one time of flight differencevalue between a time of flight measurement value of at least one pollingresponse signal received from the portable device and at least onesubsequent polling response signal received from the portable device,wherein the at least one time of flight difference value is compared toat least one time of flight deviation threshold value that is associatedwith at least one transceiver of the vehicle that is in proximity to theat least one local area polling zone of the vehicle in which theportable device is located; and supply an amount of power to a motorassociated with the at least one vehicle door to open or close the atleast one vehicle door if it is determined that the portable device isstationary for the predetermined period of time.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein determining if the portable device is located within the atleast one local area polling zone of the vehicle includes determiningand comparing the time of flight measurement value of the at least onepolling response signal to at least one local area time of flightthreshold value that is specifically associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that receives the at least one pollingresponse signal with a lowest time of flight measurement value, whereinthe at least one local area threshold time of flight value includes atime of flight measurement value that is used to determine that theportable device is located within the at least one local area pollingzone.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein determining if the portabledevice is located within the at least one local area polling zone of thevehicle includes determining that the portable device is located withinthe at least one local area polling zone when the time of flightmeasurement value of the at least one polling response signal is equalto or below the at least one local area threshold value, wherein theportable device is determined to be located within a wide area pollingzone of the vehicle when the time of flight measurement value of the atleast one polling response signal is above the at least one local areathreshold value.
 13. The system of claim 12, further includingdetermining if the portable device is located within at least one doorarea zone of the vehicle, wherein determining that the portable deviceis located within the at least one door area zone when the time offlight value of at least one polling response signal is equal to orbelow at least one door area threshold value, wherein the portabledevice is determined to be located within the at least one local areapolling zone of the vehicle when the time of flight measurement value ofthe at least one polling response signal is above the at least one doorarea threshold value and equal to or below the at least one local areathreshold value.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein determining if theportable device is stationary for the predetermined period of timeincludes comparing the at least one time of flight difference value tothe at least one time of flight deviation threshold that is associatedwith at least one transceiver of the vehicle that is in proximity to theat least one local area polling zone of the vehicle in which theportable device is located to determine if the at least one time offlight difference value is within a predetermined stationary range. 15.The system of claim 14, wherein determining if the portable device isstationary for the predetermined period of time includes determiningthat the portable device is not located within at least one door areazone, determining and storing at least one time of flight measurementvalue of the at least one polling response signal, determining if theportable device is still located within the at least one local areapolling zone, and determining a time of flight measurement value of theat least one subsequent polling response signal.
 16. The system of claim15, wherein determining if the portable device is stationary for thepredetermined period of time includes executing a timer to determine ifthe predetermined period of time has expired, wherein the portabledevice is determined to be within the predetermined stationary range andis determined to be stationary for the predetermined period of timebased on determining that the at least one time of flight differencevalue between the time of flight measurement value of the at least onepolling response signal and the at least one subsequent polling responsesignal is below the at least one time of flight deviation thresholduntil the predetermined period of time expires.
 17. The system of claim16, wherein determining if the portable device is stationary for thepredetermined period of time includes determining that the portabledevice is still located within the at least one local area polling zoneand determining that the predetermined period of time has not expired,wherein the at least one high power polling signal is transmitted to theportable device and at least one additional subsequent polling responsesignal is received from the portable device.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein determining if the portable device is stationary for thepredetermined period of time includes determining a time of flightmeasurement value of the at least one additional subsequent pollingresponse signal and computing at least one of: a time of flightdifference value between the time of flight measurement value of the atleast one additional subsequent response signal and the time of flightmeasurement value of the at least one polling response signal and a timeof flight difference value between the time of flight measurement valueof the at least one additional subsequent response signal and the timeof flight measurement value of the at least one subsequent pollingresponse signal until the predetermined period of time expires based oncontinually determining that the portable device is still located withinthe at least one local area polling zone.
 19. A non-transitory computerreadable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by acomputer, which includes at least a processor, causes the computer toperform a method, the method comprising: determining if a portabledevice is located within at least one local area polling zone of avehicle, wherein the at least one local area polling zone includes apredetermined area around the vehicle which receives at least one highpower polling signal; determining if the portable device is stationaryfor a predetermined period of time within the at least one local areapolling zone of the vehicle, wherein determining if the portable deviceis stationary for the predetermined period of time includes computing atleast one time of flight difference value between a time of flightmeasurement value of at least one polling response signal received fromthe portable device and at least one subsequent polling response signalreceived from the portable device, wherein the at least one time offlight difference value is compared to at least one time of flightdeviation threshold value that is associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that is in proximity to the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle in which the portable device islocated; and supplying an amount of power to a motor associated with atleast one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle door ifit is determined that the portable device is stationary for thepredetermined period of time.
 20. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium of claim 19, wherein determining if the portable deviceis stationary for the predetermined period of time includes comparingthe at least one time of flight difference value to the at least onetime of flight deviation threshold that is associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that is in proximity to the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle in which the portable device islocated to determine if the at least one time of flight difference valueis within a predetermined stationary range.